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How to turn 2025 public holidays into longer trips

This one’s for the 9-5ers. With 2025 just around the corner, now is a great time to plan your trips for the new year. But we understand that securing enough time off work is not always the easiest thing. Lucky for you, there are several Nigerian public holidays you can maximize to turn a long weekend into an unforgettable travel memory.

So here’s a guide to Nigerian public holidays in 2025, their tentative dates, and how you can plan your trips around them.

Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)

Tentative date: Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, 2025.

The exact date for Eid al-Fitr depends on the Islamic calendar, and it’s usually announced closer to the date. But don’t worry, if it falls on a weekend, the federal government of Nigeria will grant the next Monday and Tuesday off. With a bit of planning, adding two or three PTO days can give you more than 4 days off.

Travel idea: Visit Morocco as the weather is pleasantly mild this time of the year. It’s also a good time to visit Cape Town, South Africa.

Easter Weekend

Dates: Good Friday, April 18, to Easter Monday, April 21, 2025.

Easter is a consistent four-day holiday every year, starting on Friday and ending on Monday. If you add a few extra PTO days before or after Easter, you can turn this holiday into a weeklong trip.

Travel idea: Head to Dubai or Qatar. The weather in April is still good and not searing hot. If you want something more romantic and serene, Seychelles is perfect. Plus, it’s visa-on-arrival for Nigerian travelers.

Workers’ Day

Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025

Workers’ Day lands on a Thursday in 2025. If you take Friday off, you’ll have a beautiful four-day window for your trip.

Travel idea: This is prime time to enjoy the powdery beaches and clear blue waters of Zanzibar. But if you are looking for something else, hit Senegal and Ghana. They are lovely, with great food and nightlife.

Democracy Day

Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025

Another Thursday holiday that’s great for a weekend getaway if you can take Friday off. Pack in as much rest, sightseeing, or family time as possible.

Travel idea: With only a weekend, you can plan a staycation to Nigeria’s numerous tourist spots or go see your loved ones in other states. If you are hungry for an international trip, fly to The Gambia– it’s only 5 hours away from Lagos. And Accra is an hour’s flight.

Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)

Tentative date: Friday, June 6, or Saturday, June 7, 2025

Like Eid al-Fitr, the date for Eid al-Adha varies based on the Islamic calendar. But as usual, expect two public holidays even if it falls over the weekend. Combine it with a few PTO days and you’ve got another potential five-day stretch for rest or travel.

Travel idea: Pack your bags for Turkey. June is a great time to explore Istanbul’s historic sites and take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. The Maldives is also great if you love the beach and luxury resorts. If you would rather be home for the break but still want some fun, take a trip to the north to experience the annual Grand Durbar Festival. It’s a colorful sight to behold!

Eid al-Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)

Tentative date: Thursday, September 4, or Friday, September 5, 2025.

This holiday, too, depends on the Islamic calendar and you can extend it by adding a couple of PTO days.

Travel idea: This is another great one for a weekend staycation or you could take a quiet retreat to nearby Bénin or Togo.

Independence Day

Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

Independence Day is smack dab in the middle of the week. But no worries, take Thursday and Friday off and you get a five-day holiday.

Travel idea: October is a good month for many destinations including Egypt, Seychelles, Morocco, South Africa, Qatar, UAE (Dubai), and Mauritius. So you have a lot to pick from if you can secure additional days.

Christmas and Boxing Day

Dates: Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day), and Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day)

Christmas gives you two glorious days. And if your workplace closes for the year, you could enjoy the entire week up to the first working day of 2026.

Travel idea: Kenya’s Maasai Mara has a breathtaking safari experience during this time. If you prefer a White Christmas, then you should secure your Schengen visa to explore the Christmas markets in Germany or Austria. Want to party nonstop? Do a December in Accra/Lagos. Or take the time to rest and prepare for the coming year.