The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Muslims across the country to begin observing the sighting of the new moon for the Ramadan fast from the evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
His message was contained in a statement issued by the General, NSCIA, Prof Is-haq Oloyede.
According to the Sultan, if the moon is sighted on Tuesday, February 17, Ramadan will commence on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Otherwise, fasting will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
He said the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has made arrangements for the official observation.
Meanwhile, the Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has dismissed fears of a possible hike in the prices of tomatoes and other vegetables during the forthcoming Ramadan fast, saying a bumper harvest and market timing would likely drive prices down.
The Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Mr Rabiu Zuntu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.
Zuntu explained that, unlike previous years when tomato and pepper prices surged during Ramadan, this year’s fasting period coincides with the peak harvest season in many northern states.