Nigeria Celebrates Eid al-Adha as Muslims Mark Feast of Sacrifice

ABUJA — Nigeria is observing Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as Muslims across the country mark the Feast of Sacrifice with morning prayers, the slaughter of rams and other livestock, and family celebrations. The Federal Government declared today and Thursday, May 28, as public holidays.

Prayer grounds in cities and towns across northern Nigeria were filled from early morning. In Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Ilorin, thousands of worshippers dressed in new outfits gathered to observe the Eid prayers. Traditional rulers presided over Sallah durbars, maintaining the cultural pageantry that defines the festival across the north.

In Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other southern cities with significant Muslim populations, mosques and open prayer grounds hosted large congregations. The spirit of the festival extended across religious boundaries, with many Christian Nigerians joining their Muslim neighbours to share in the festivities and partake of the Sallah meat.

Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III led prayers at the Sultan’s Palace grounds in Sokoto. In his Eid sermon, he called on Nigerians to embrace the spirit of sacrifice embodied by the festival. He urged the wealthy to give generously to those who are struggling, noting that 35 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity.

Celebrations Across Nigeria

In Yorubaland, the festival is called Ileya, meaning the time to go home in Yoruba. Families across Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, and Lagos states gathered for the celebrations. The traditional Ileya festivals in towns including Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Ijebu-Ode drew large crowds.

However, the economic reality dampened celebrations for many families. Ram prices rose sharply this year, with medium-sized animals selling for N200,000 to N450,000. Many families said they purchased smaller animals than usual or shared the cost with relatives. Islamic scholars reminded Muslims that faith and generosity matter more than the size of the sacrifice.

Furthermore, security agencies maintained a heightened presence across the country during the holiday. Police, military, and civil defence personnel were deployed to prayer grounds, markets, and major roads to ensure the safety of worshippers and holiday travellers. The Inspector-General of Police said no major security incident was recorded as of mid-morning.

Eid Message of Unity

President Bola Tinubu issued an Eid al-Adha message to Nigerians on Wednesday morning. He congratulated Nigerian Muslims and urged all citizens to use the spirit of the festival to promote national unity, tolerance, and compassion for the less privileged.

“Eid al-Adha is a time to reflect on the values of sacrifice, faith, and community. As we celebrate, let us remember our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate. Let us share our blessings and strengthen the bonds that unite us as one people,” Tinubu said in the statement.

The Christian Association of Nigeria also issued a goodwill message to Muslim Nigerians. CAN President Daniel Okoh said the festival is an opportunity for all Nigerians, regardless of faith, to demonstrate the spirit of sacrifice and generosity that both religions preach.