The President of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaj Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across the country to begin the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan 1447AH on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and signed by the Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the NSCIA, urged Muslims to look out for the crescent immediately after sunset on Tuesday and report any credible sighting to the nearest village or district head. Sightings can also be communicated directly to the Sultanate Council through designated telephone lines.
He said the announcement was in line with established Islamic traditions, which require the physical sighting of the crescent moon to mark the commencement of Ramadan.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection and charity.
The month-long fast, which lasts either 29 or 30 days depending on lunar sightings, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
The holy month is also believed to be the period during which the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
A formal declaration on the commencement of fasting is expected from the Sultanate Council after verified reports of the moon sighting are received and authenticated.
The Sultan traditionally announces the start and end of Ramadan in Nigeria following consultations with Islamic scholars and moon sighting committees across the country.
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