Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, a public holiday to mark the 2026 Eid-ul-Mawlid, the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, with the government urging Nigerians to turn the religious celebration into a renewed commitment to peace, unity and national cohesion.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The declaration gives Muslim faithful across the country a day to commemorate the occasion, while the minister urged Nigerians to look beyond the festivities and draw practical lessons from the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Tunji-Ojo identified compassion, humility and service to humanity as some of the values associated with the Prophet’s life, saying they were particularly relevant to Nigeria’s current quest for peace and national development.
“Every Eid ul Mawlid gives us reason to pause and draw lessons from a life defined by compassion, humility and service to others.
“These are qualities our nation needs now more than ever, and I encourage every Nigerian, not just our Muslim brothers and sisters, to reflect on them,” he said.
The minister called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity and national cohesion, stressing that the responsibility for building and sustaining a peaceful nation rested on all citizens.
He also urged Muslim faithful and other Nigerians to celebrate responsibly, with restraint, mutual respect and consideration for people of different faiths and backgrounds.
According to him, the values of peaceful coexistence and respect for one another remained essential to strengthening the bonds that hold the country together.
Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora on the celebration and wished them a peaceful and joyous Eid-ul-Mawlid.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to protecting lives and property and promoting peace and stability across the country.
The minister urged citizens to support government and community efforts aimed at strengthening national unity, fostering peaceful coexistence and building a more stable and prosperous Nigeria.
The public holiday will therefore provide Muslim faithful with an opportunity to mark the religious occasion while joining other Nigerians in reflecting on the values of tolerance, compassion, service and peaceful coexistence highlighted by the Federal Government.