Holiday Details
- Holiday Name
- New Year's Day
- Country
- Nigeria
- Date
- January 1, 2026
- Day of Week
- Thursday
- Status
- Passed
- About this Holiday
- New Year’s Day is the first day of the year, or January 1, in the Gregorian calendar.
Nigeria • January 1, 2026 • Thursday
Also known as: New Year's Day
Ọjọ́ kìíní oṣù kìíní jẹ́ ọjọ́ pàtàkì kan tí gbogbo ọmọ orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà, láti Gúúsù títí dé Àríwá, láti Ìlà-Oòrùn títí dé Ìwọ̀-Oòrùn, máa ń fi tìfẹ́tìfẹ́ dúró dè. Èyí kì í ṣe ọjọ́ kalẹ́ńdà lásán; ó jẹ́ àmì ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ tuntun, àkókò fún ìdúpẹ́, àti àǹfààní láti gbin irúgbìn ìrètí fún ọjọ́ iwájú tí ó dán mọ́rán. Ní orílẹ̀-èdè tí ó ní Onírúurú àṣà, èdè, àti ẹ̀sìn bíi Nàìjíríà, Ọjọ́ Ọdún Tuntun ṣiṣẹ́ gẹ́gẹ́ bí afárá tí ó so gbogbo ènìyàn pọ̀ mọ́ra láti ṣe ayẹyẹ ìyè àti àlàáfíà.
Kí ó tó di ọjọ́ yìí, afẹ́fẹ́ ayẹyẹ ti máa ń kún inú afẹ́fẹ́. Lẹ́yìn ayẹyẹ Kérésìmesì àti Ọjọ́ Ìfẹ́ni (Boxing Day), ọkàn ọmọ Nàìjíríà kì í balẹ̀ títí tí wọn yóò fi rí òpin ọdún tí wọ́n sì bọ́ sínú ọdún tuntun pẹ̀lú ayọ̀. Ìmọ̀lára yìí jinlẹ̀ gidigidi, nítorí pé ó ń fún àwọn ènìyàn ní àǹfààní láti gbé àwọn ẹrù iṣẹ́ àti ìpèníjà ọdún tí ó kọjá tì sẹ́gbẹ̀ẹ́ kan, kí wọ́n sì gba ayé tuntun mọ́ra pẹ̀lú ẹ̀rín músẹ́. Ó jẹ́ àkókò láti dúpẹ́ lọ́wọ́ Ọlọ́run fún dídá ẹ̀mí sí, àti láti tọrọ ìbùkún fún ìrìn-àjò oṣù Kejìlá míràn tí ó wà níwájú.
Ní àwọn ìlú ńlá bíi Èkó, Abùjá, àti Port Harcourt, ayẹyẹ yìí máa ń gba ọ̀nà ọ̀tọ̀. Àwọn iná ìṣeré (fireworks) máa ń tàn yòò ní ojú ọ̀run, orin Afrobeat tí ó lami-laaka láti ọwọ́ àwọn gbajúmọ̀ bíi Burna Boy, Wizkid, àti Davido sì máa ń dún jáde láti inú àwọn ilé ìgbafẹ́ àti àwọn ibi ayẹyẹ òpópónà. Ṣùgbọ́n lẹ́yìn gbogbo ariwo àti ayẹyẹ yìí, ohun tí ó ṣe pàtàkì jùlọ ni ìṣọ̀kan ẹbí. Ọjọ́ Ọdún Tuntun ní Nàìjíríà jẹ́ ọjọ́ tí ẹbí máa ń kóra jọ láti jẹun pọ̀, láti sọ̀rọ̀ nípa àwọn ohun tí wọ́n fẹ́ ṣe nínú ọdún tuntun, àti láti fún ara wọn ní ìṣírí.
Gẹ́gẹ́ bí ó ti jẹ́ àṣà kárí ayé, Ọjọ́ Ọdún Tuntun ní orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà tẹ̀lé kàlẹ́ńdà Gregorian, èyí tí ó túmọ̀ sí pé ó máa ń bọ́ sí ọjọ́ kìíní oṣù kìíní lọ́dọọdún.
Fún ọdún tí ń bọ̀:
Bí ó tilẹ̀ jẹ́ pé ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ẹ̀yà ní orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà ní kàlẹ́ńdà tiwọn àti ọ̀nà tí wọ́n gbà ń ṣe ayẹyẹ ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ àsìkò ohun ọ̀gbìn tàbí ọdún ìbílẹ̀ (bíi Ọdún Iṣu Tuntun láàárín àwọn Ìgbò tàbí Ọdún Ìtẹ̀síwájú nínú àwọn àṣà míràn), ayẹyẹ Ọjọ́ Ọdún Tuntun ti January 1 wá sí orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà nípasẹ̀ àṣà àwọn Gẹ̀ẹ́sì ní àsìkò amúnisìn.
Ilẹ̀ Gẹ̀ẹ́sì bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí ní lo kàlẹ́ńdà Gregorian ní ọdún 1752, gẹ́gẹ́ bí orílẹ̀-èdè tí ó sì jẹ gàba lórí Nàìjíríà nígbà náà, àṣà yìí di ohun tí a gbà wọlé fún gbogbo ìṣèjọba àti ìṣòwò. Ní báyìí, lẹ́yìn ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọdún tí Nàìjíríà ti gba òmìnira, January 1 ti di ọjọ́ tí gbogbo ènìyàn mọ̀ sí ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ ọdún ìṣèjọba, ètò ẹ̀kọ́, àti ìṣòwò. Ó ti kúrò ní ohun tí a kàn "gbà wọlé" lásán, ó ti di ara àṣà wa nítorí ó ń fún wa ní àǹfààní láti wà ní ìṣọ̀kan pẹ̀lú gbogbo àgbáyé.
Yàtọ̀ sí ti ìṣèjọba, ẹ̀sìn tún kó ipa pàtàkì nínú bí ọjọ́ yìí ṣe di ohun ńlá ní Nàìjíríà. Bí àwọn ajíhìnrere ṣe ń mú ẹ̀sìn Krístì wá, bẹ́ẹ̀ ni wọ́n ń mú àṣà ayẹyẹ ọdún tuntun tẹ̀lé e. Lónìí, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọmọ orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà kò ka ọdún tuntun sí ayẹyẹ "òkèèrè" mọ́; ó ti di apá kan ìgbésí ayé wa tí a fi ń rántí oore Ọlọ́run.
Ayẹyẹ Ọdún Tuntun ní Nàìjíríà kì í bẹ̀rẹ̀ ní January 1; ó máa ń bẹ̀rẹ̀ láti alẹ́ December 31. Èyí ni a mọ̀ sí "Watchnight Service" tàbí "Crossover Service".
Ní Nàìjíríà, ọ̀nà tí a gbà ń bẹ̀rẹ̀ ọdún ṣe pàtàkì nítorí ìgbàgbọ́ pé "bí o bá ṣe bẹ̀rẹ̀ ọdún rẹ, bẹ́ẹ̀ ni yóò ṣe rí títí di òpin rẹ̀." Èyí ni àwọn àṣà kan tí ó wọ́pọ̀:
Bí o bá jẹ́ àlejò ní orílẹ̀-èdè Nàìjíríà ní àsìkò Ọjọ́ Ọdún Tuntun 2026, àwọn nǹkan kan wà tí o gbọ́dọ̀ mọ̀:
Common questions about New Year's Day in Nigeria
New Year's Day in Nigeria will be observed on Thursday, January 1, 2026. As of today, there are 0 days remaining until the nation celebrates the start of the new year. This date marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year and is celebrated with immense joy across all thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Yes, it is a national public holiday throughout Nigeria. On this day, government offices, schools, banks, and most private businesses are closed to allow citizens to celebrate. While essential services like hospitals and certain transportation sectors remain operational, the majority of the workforce enjoys a day off. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the government usually declares the following Monday as a public holiday, though in 2026, it falls on a weekday.
The celebration of New Year's Day on January 1st is based on the Gregorian calendar, which Nigeria adopted during the British colonial era. While it does not have a specific indigenous or religious origin unique to Nigerian history, it has become a vital secular event. It symbolizes a fresh start and national unity, coming shortly after the Christmas and Boxing Day festivities, allowing Nigerians of all backgrounds to reflect on the past year and set goals for the future.
Celebrations often begin on the night of December 31st with 'Watchnight' or 'Crossover' services. Millions of Nigerians attend church to pray into the New Year, while others gather at countdown parties and concerts. As midnight strikes, fireworks light up the skies in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The day itself, January 1, 2026, is spent hosting family gatherings, visiting relatives, and enjoying festive meals featuring iconic dishes like Jollof rice, fried plantain, and various meat preparations.
Food is central to Nigerian New Year celebrations. Families typically prepare large feasts featuring Jollof rice, fried rice, pounded yam with egusi soup, and moi moi. Protein sources include seasoned chicken, beef, or ram. For drinks, many enjoy local favorites like Chapman (a non-alcoholic cocktail), palm wine in more traditional settings, or various soft drinks and malt beverages. Sharing these meals with neighbors and the less privileged is also a common practice.
Visitors should be prepared for the Harmattan season, characterized by dry, dusty winds and temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. Travel can be hectic, as airports and motorparks are very busy with people returning from holiday trips; it is advised to book flights and transport well in advance. In cities like Lagos, traffic congestion is common near event centers and beaches. It is also recommended to carry some cash, as ATM galleries can experience long queues during public holidays.
While there are no official state-led parades, the entertainment scene is vibrant. High-end hotels like Eko Hotels in Lagos host exclusive countdown balls, and popular beaches such as Tarkwa Bay or Elegushi often feature fireworks and music. Afrobeat music is the heartbeat of these celebrations, with hits from global stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido playing at street carnivals and private parties throughout the day and night.
Expatriates should embrace the festive spirit by dressing in 'casual festive' attire or even trying local traditional fabrics. It is important to be mindful of religious sensitivities, as many people spend the early hours in deep prayer. While alcohol is common at social gatherings, public intoxication is generally frowned upon. Always greet neighbors with 'Happy New Year' to build rapport. Lastly, ensure you follow local news for any specific security or traffic advisories issued by the authorities for the holiday period.
New Year's Day dates in Nigeria from 2010 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday | January 1, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | January 1, 2024 |
| 2023 | Sunday | January 1, 2023 |
| 2022 | Saturday | January 1, 2022 |
| 2021 | Friday | January 1, 2021 |
| 2020 | Wednesday | January 1, 2020 |
| 2019 | Tuesday | January 1, 2019 |
| 2018 | Monday | January 1, 2018 |
| 2017 | Sunday | January 1, 2017 |
| 2016 | Friday | January 1, 2016 |
| 2015 | Thursday | January 1, 2015 |
| 2014 | Wednesday | January 1, 2014 |
| 2013 | Tuesday | January 1, 2013 |
| 2012 | Sunday | January 1, 2012 |
| 2011 | Saturday | January 1, 2011 |
| 2010 | Friday | January 1, 2010 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.