The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (CFR, mni), has declared Tuesday, January 20, 2026, as the first day of Sha’aban 1447AH, signalling the official countdown to Ramadan.

The announcement, issued on Monday night by the Sultanate Council in Sokoto and signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, followed the national moon-sighting exercise that confirmed the sighting of the new moon of Sha’aban.

Sha’aban, the eighth month in the Islamic calendar, immediately precedes Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have emphasised the importance of Sha’aban as a time for believers to prepare spiritually and physically for the demands of Ramadan.

With the commencement of Sha’aban, Muslims across the country have just one month before the start of the annual fast, which involves abstinence from dawn to sunset, increased prayers, Qur’an recitation, acts of charity, and renewed commitment to moral excellence.