Eid-il-Fitr: Sultan Directs Nationwide Moon Sighting As Ramadan Nears End
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to begin the search for the Shawwal crescent, signalling the end of Ramadan 1447AH and the commencement of Eid celebrations.
In a statement issued by the Sultanate Council Sokoto and signed by its Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1447AH, has been set aside for the nationwide moon sighting.
The Sultan urged Muslims to look out for the new crescent on that day and promptly report any credible sighting through established traditional and official channels.
According to the statement, those who observe the moon are advised to inform their nearest district or village head, who will in turn relay the information to the Sultan for confirmation and formal announcement.
To enhance coordination and ensure accuracy, the Sultanate Council also released dedicated telephone lines for direct reporting of verified sightings.
The numbers include: 0803 715 7100, 0806 630 3077, 0803 596 5322, 0803 594 5903, and 0706 714 6900.
The announcement forms part of longstanding Islamic tradition, where the sighting of the Shawwal crescent determines the conclusion of the fasting period and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most significant religious celebrations observed by Muslims nationwide.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
