The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has called on Muslims across the country to look out for the crescent moon of Ramadan immediately after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to 29 Sha’aban 1447 A.H.
The directive was issued by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a statement signed by the council’s Secretary-General, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, on Sunday, February 15.
The council said the National Moon Sighting Committee, working alongside the National Space Research and Development Agency, had put facilities in place to monitor and verify credible sightings of the crescent.
If the moon is sighted on Tuesday evening, Wednesday, February 18, will be declared the first day of Ramadan.
“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Thursday, 19 February 2026, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1447 A.H,” the statement read.
The council directed Muslims who sight the crescent to contact designated traditional rulers, religious leaders, and members of the National Moon Sighting Committee, whose details are available on the NSCIA website.
Beyond the Ramadan announcement, the NSCIA raised concerns about what it described as growing Islamophobic narratives in the country over the past year.
The council said Muslims had been subjected to attempts to criminalise their faith through narratives it said were “inconsistent with the reality of insecurity in Nigeria.”
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“Muslims are being asked to denounce what they did not endorse, while those who have been victims of attacks are being framed as aggressors,” the statement said.
The NSCIA described Muslims as “double victims” who bear the brunt of violence from extremist groups while simultaneously being blamed for the same violence.
“Muslims have thus become ‘double victims’ who are, on the one hand, the major victims of Boko Haram, banditry and Lakurawa, the most heinous of such incidents happening in the underreported gruesome murder of about 200 Muslims in Kwara state and also, on the other hand, the victims of negative narratives that erase Muslim suffering,” the council said.
“The culture of inequality against Muslims is being entrenched because Christians have foreign powers to defend them while Muslims appear defenceless,” it added.
On the political front, the NSCIA said it had received complaints following INEC’s announcement that the 2027 presidential election would fall during Ramadan, with gubernatorial elections potentially coinciding with Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
The council said it was monitoring the situation closely and expressed hope that the election timetable would be reviewed.
The NSCIA urged Muslims to remain calm, steadfast, and committed to virtuous conduct during the holy month despite the challenges facing the country.
It prayed for peace, protection, and tranquillity across Nigeria and asked that Allah grant Muslims the opportunity to witness and complete Ramadan in good health and devotion.