FG Declares Eid ul Mawlid Holiday, Banks to Shut Nationwide

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as a public holiday to mark Eid ul Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Banks and financial institutions across Nigeria will be closed for the day, though digital and ATM services will remain active.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Interior, with Permanent Secretary Dr Magdalene Ajani issuing the official statement on Friday on behalf of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Minister Urges Reflection, Unity

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and the diaspora and called on all citizens, regardless of religion, to draw lessons from the life of the Holy Prophet. He said: "Every Eid ul Mawlid gives us reason to pause and draw lessons from a life defined by compassion, humility and service to others. These are qualities our nation needs now more than ever, and I encourage every Nigerian, not just our Muslim brothers and sisters, to reflect on them."

The minister also asked Nigerians to use the period to pray for peace and national cohesion, describing unity as a shared responsibility that belongs to every citizen. He urged the public to mark the celebration with restraint and respect for one another, Punch reports.

Tunji-Ojo restated the current administration's commitment to protecting lives and property and sustaining peaceful conditions across the country.

Bank Closures and Digital Channels

The public holiday applies to federal government offices, banks and most formal sector establishments nationwide. Customers who need to carry out transactions on the day can still use ATMs, mobile banking apps and other electronic payment channels, as digital services are expected to remain active despite the closure of physical branches.

Ahead of the holiday, banks are expected to encourage customers to use digital platforms to carry out transactions.

Shift to Digital Banking

The holiday closure comes as financial institutions continue to move customers towards electronic banking. Absa Group streamlined its physical banking network during the first half of 2026, shutting 79 traditional branches and taking more than 100 ATMs out of service as fewer customers opted for face-to-face banking.

The South African financial institution disclosed the changes in its interim results covering the six months ended June 30, 2026. Absa's traditional branch network declined by 18% to 359 locations, while its ATM footprint decreased by 2% to 4,976 machines. The lender explained that the reductions were driven by evolving customer preferences and increased adoption of digital banking, rather than a decision to scale back its overall market presence.

For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the Eid ul Mawlid holiday means physical bank transactions will pause for the day. Digital platforms will become the primary way to move money, making reliance on electronic channels more important than ever.