2026 Ramadan: Islamic leaders confirm start date

Islamic leaders under the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland have announced that the Ramadan fast will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The announcement was made after a meeting held in Ibadan and was read to journalists by the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola.

The meeting was attended by senior Islamic leaders, including the President-General of the League, the Chief Imams of Ibadanland, Ogun State, Osun State and Ondo State, as well as other scholars from the six South-West states of Nigeria.

In a communique issued after the meeting, the League explained that the date was chosen based on astronomical calculations and international Islamic resolutions on the Islamic calendar.

According to the League, the new moon (astronomical conjunction) for Ramadan will occur on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:01 pm Nigerian time. This confirms that fasting should begin the next day, Wednesday, February 18.

The League said its decision follows resolutions from several international Islamic conferences held in Istanbul, Paris and other cities, where scholars and astronomers agreed on the use of accurate scientific calculations to determine Islamic months.

The League also announced that Ramadan will last 30 days this year.

It explained that there will be no chance of seeing the moon on March 18, 2026, which means fasting cannot end after 29 days.

The new moon for Shawwal, which marks the end of Ramadan, will appear on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

As a result, Muslims will complete 30 days of fasting, and Eid-el-Fitr will not come early.

The League called on Muslims to prepare spiritually and observe the fast in peace and unity.