Sultan Declares Saturday as the First Day of Ramadan

The Sultan of Sokoto has officially declared Saturday as the first day of Ramadan, marking the beginning of the holy month for Muslims in Nigeria. Read more on the announcement.

Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has announced that Saturday, March 1st, 2025 will mark the beginning of Ramadan 1446AH.

He stated that the announcement was made following the sighting of the moon in nearly every region of the country earlier on Friday, which marked the 29th day of Shaban. This signifies that March 1st will be recognized as the first day of Ramadan for the year 1446.

“The Sultan stated, ‘We received information from Muslim leaders nationwide and accept the moon sighting accordingly.’”

Abubakar urged the whole Muslim community in the nation to begin observing Ramadan on Monday, adhering to Islamic teachings.

President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to the Muslim community as they began observing the sacred month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed on Friday, the President expressed his gratitude to “Almighty Allah for granting us the grace to witness the beginning of this holy month, which is a cornerstone of Islamic faith.”

“May this period of fasting and devotion be characterized by good health, spiritual fulfillment, and divine blessings. Ramadan is a time for profound reflection, renewed commitment to Allah, and acts of compassion and generosity towards others.”

Tinubu called on all Muslims participating in the fast to embrace the deep teachings of devotion, humility, and selflessness that this sacred month represents.

He also encourages Muslims to use this time to deepen their connection with Allah and each other, promoting unity and harmony within their communities.

This year’s Ramadan is particularly meaningful as it aligns with a time of renewed optimism and advancement for our nation. Our administration’s innovative and transformative policies are starting to show positive effects, demonstrated by the steady stabilization of our economy. The Gross Domestic Product in the last quarter of 2024 indicated significant progress compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

The previously skyrocketing prices of essential food items are now decreasing, offering much-needed relief to our fasting population and all Nigerians. The exchange rate is stabilizing, and fuel prices are falling, indicating a more promising future.

He expressed his sincere wishes to all Muslims observing Ramadan, hoping for a month full of joy, peace, and spiritual renewal. He added that may the blessings of this holy month light up our hearts and homes, helping us emerge as better individuals and a stronger nation.

In the interim, the Katsina State Hisbah Board has instructed all private schools throughout the state to cease operations for the duration of Ramadan.

The government-supported institution tasked with upholding Sharia law according to Islamic principles has issued a warning that failure to comply will not be tolerated.

Malam Aminu Usman, the commander-general of the board, revealed in a statement released on Thursday, February 27th, 2025 that the decision aligns with directives from the State Government.

Usman emphasized the importance of school proprietors adhering to the directive, stating that the closure is intended to enable pupils to fully participate in observing the Muslim fasting period.

“The statement further mentioned that the directives encompass additional lessons.”