The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Wednesday, September 27, 2023, as a public holiday to celebrate Eid-ul-Maulid, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced in Abuja on Monday.

In a statement released by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Oluwatoyin Akinlade, the Minister congratulated all Muslim faithful in Nigeria and abroad on this year’s Eid-ul-Maulid celebration.

“His admonition to Nigerians is to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified,” the statement partly read

The Minister urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class, and ethnicity. He also called on Nigerians to join hands with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that all citizens would be proud of.

He also wished all Muslim faithful a joyful celebration.