BREAKING NEWS: Palace of the Sultanate Council of Sokot declares Wednesday first day of Ramadan in Nigeria

The Palace of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto has announced that Muslims in Nigeria will begin the Ramadan fast on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, said reports confirming the sighting of the new moon were received from different parts of the country.

The statement said the moon sighting marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a period during which Muslims around the world observe fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam.

“Reports of the sighting of the moon were received from various locations across the country,” the statement said.

Based on the confirmed reports, the palace declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH in Nigeria.

Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, engage in prayers, and carry out acts of charity and devotion.