List of major public holidays in Nigeria

Nigeria is ethnically and religiously diverse, hence Public holiday differs among states. Oftentimes, public holidays are observed in a state, and not observed in the entire country. An important example is the Ondo State public holiday which was declared in Honour of president Buhari’s coming. However there are general holidays observed by everyone i.e New year, Id fitre for muslims, and Easter for christians.

January

– 1st of January – New year’s day.

Important national and international days and events in Nigeria

MARCH

8 March: Women’s Day

It is celebrated annually on the 8th of march to celebrate women’s achievements and a gender equal world. The theme for this year’s women Day is #EqualforEqual Without doubt, women around the world are doing great things in all phases of life. Hence women’s contributions, innovations and creativity should be visible and applauded. It is a day to raise awareness about bias, speak against gender discriminations  and take action about equality.

22 Mar:  Mothering Sunday 

Mother’s day is a unique celebration in honour of the huge sacrifices of mothers. Appreciating their roles and influence in the family and the society at large. It is celebrated in every part of the world on various days and levels. The birth of mother’s day celebration can be traced to the 17th century, which started as ‘’Mothering Sunday’’ The observance later spread across the world. Mother’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 22 March 2020 in Nigeria.

22 Mar:  World Water Day

World water day is celebrated annually on 22nd of March. It is celebrated in about 110 countries. 2020 world water day is themed water and climate change. Water and climate change are inextricably linked . The observance showed that water and sanitation are key factors to poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and economic growth.

 

APRIL

10th April : Good friday Public holiday

It is also known as Holy friday or good friday. It is a public and christian holiday that celebrates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.It’s a Friday before Easter, which is observed by many christians around around the world. It’s observed with fasting and church service by many.

13th April : Easter Monday

Easter date is not static like other holidays like Christmas, celebrated on the 25th of December annually. Easter varies in date, it’s either celebrated in March or April annually. It is christian holiday celebrated the day after Easter Sunday. It is a holiday important to many Christians because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death after his crucification on the cross.

 

MAY

1st may : workers day

24th May: Id el Fitr

25 may   : Id el Fitr additional day

27 may    children’s day

 

JUNE

12 June:   Democracy day

21 June :  Father’s day

 

JULY

31 July :    Id el Kabir

 

AUGUST

1st August:  Id el Kabir additional day

 

OCTOBER

Oct 1st:   Independence day

29 oct:    Id el Maulud

 

DECEMBER

22 Dec:    Sambisa Memorial Day

24 Dec :   Christmas Eve

25 Dec:    Christmas Day

26 Dec:    Boxing Day

31 Dec:    New Year’s Eve

Reference: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/nigeria/

 

WASH EVENT CALENDAR

 

FEBRUARY

Feb 2: World wetland day

 

MARCH

March 8: International Women’s day

March 22: World water day

 

JUNE

June 5: World environment Day

June 8: World ocean day

 

OCTOBER

Oct 11: International day of the girl child

Oct 16 : Global hand washing day

 

NOVEMBER

Nov 19 : World toilet day

Nov 25: International day for the  elimination of violence against women

 

DECEMBER

Dec 10: Human right day

 

 Reference:

WASH Events Calendar:  https://www.ircwash.org/news/wash-events-calendar

https://iwa-network.org/all-events/

https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-days/

 

Important international Day 

 

February 

 

4th Feb: World cancer day

6th Feb: International day of zero tolerance to female mutilation

11th Feb: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

13th Feb: World Radio Day

29th Feb: World Day of Social Justice

21st Feb : International Mother Language Day 

 

MARCH

 

1st March: Zero Discrimination Day

8 March: International women’s Day

20th March: International Day of Happiness

21st March: International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination/World Poetry Day

22nd March: World water Day

24th March: World Tuberculosis Day

25th March: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

 

April

 

7th April: World Health Day

22 April: International Mother Earth Day

24 April: International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for peace

25 April: World malaria Day

 

MAY

 

17th May: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

21st May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

 

June 

 

Ist June: Global Day of Parents

5th June: World Environment Day

8th June: World Oceans Day

12th June: World Day against Child Labour

14th June: World Blood Donor Day

19th June: International Day for the elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

20th June: World Refugee Day

 

JULY

 

15th July: World Youth Skills Day

28th July: World Hepatitis Day

30th July: International Day of Friendship/ World Day against Trafficking in Person

 

AUGUST

 

12th August: International Youth Day

19th August: World Humanitarian Day

23rd August; International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

 

SEPTEMBER

 

5th September: International Day of Charity

15th September: International Day of Democracy

16th September: International Day of the preservation of the Ozone Layer

21st September: International Day of Peace

27th September: World Tourism Day

 

OCTOBER

 

1st October: International Day of Older Persons

2nd October: International Day of Non-Violence

5th October: World Teachers Day

10th October: World Mental Health Day

11th October: International Day of the Girl Child

17th October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

24th October: United Nations  Day

 

NOVEMBER

 

19th November: World Toilet Day

20th November: World Children Day

25th November: International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women

 

DECEMBER

 

1st December: World Aids Day

3rd December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

5th December: World soil Day

10th December: Human Right Day