The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has urged Muslims across the country to search for the crescent of Ramadan immediately after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to 29 Sha’aban 1447 A.H.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of NSCIA, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, made the declaration in the press statement signed by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof Is-haq Oloyede.

The Council said the crescent should be observed after sunset on the specified date, noting that the National Moon Sighting Committee, in consultation with the National Space Research and Development Agency, has put facilities in place to monitor and report credible sightings.

According to the statement, if the crescent is sighted on Tuesday evening, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA will declare Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447 A.H.

“If, however, the crescent is not sighted that day, then, Thursday, 19” February 2026, automatically becomes the first of Ramadan, 1447 A.H.

“Details of the traditional rulers, religious leaders and members of the NMSC who should be contacted on the credible sighting of the crescent of Ramadan are available at www.nscla.com.ng” it read.

Beyond the Ramadan announcement, the NSCIA expressed concern over what it described as heightened Islamophobic narratives in the country over the past year.

The statement referenced past and recent incidents involving individuals of different religious backgrounds, alleging what it described as double standards in media reporting and public reactions.

“Muslims are being asked to denounce what they did not endorse, while those who have been victims of attacks are being framed as aggressors.

“Muslims have thus become ‘double victims’ who are, on the one hand, the major victims of Boko Haram, banditry and Lakurawa, the most heinous of such incidents happening in the underreported gruesome murder of about 200 Muslims in Kwara state and also, on the other hand, the victims of negative narratives that erase Muslim suffering.

“The culture of inequality against Muslims is being entrenched because Christians have foreign powers to defend them while Muslims appear defenceless,” the statement added.