The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has officially declared Friday as the first day of Shawwal, marking the celebration of Eid al-Fitr across Nigeria.

The announcement followed the sighting of the new moon, which signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan. As the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Sultan confirmed that credible reports of moon sighting were received from various parts of the country.

Muslims nationwide are therefore expected to observe Eid prayers on Friday, bringing to a close a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

The Sultan congratulated the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan and urged them to sustain the values of sacrifice, patience, and charity learned during the period.

He also called for prayers for peace, unity, and continued progress in Nigeria, encouraging citizens to celebrate responsibly and support one another during the festive period.

Authorities in different states have begun making arrangements for Eid prayers and public safety, including traffic control and security deployment at major prayer grounds.

The declaration sets the stage for nationwide celebrations as millions of Muslims mark one of the most important festivals in Islam.