The Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou Nolla, has announced that Muslims in Lagos State will commence and conclude this year’s Ramadan fasting in line with the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
Speaking in a video message monitored in Lagos on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Chief Imam said the practice remains consistent with previous years, stressing the need for patience while awaiting the Sultan’s official announcement on the sighting of the Ramadan moon. He described the Sultan as the leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
Abou Nolla opened the message with prayers for the Muslim community in Lagos State and the wider South-West region, urging Muslims to maintain unity and obedience to constituted religious authority. He cited a Qur’anic injunction calling on believers to obey Allah, His Messenger, and those placed in authority over them, noting that adherence to this principle strengthens cohesion among Muslims.
According to him, following the Sultan’s directive on the commencement of Ramadan is both a religious obligation and a unifying factor for Muslims in Lagos, adding that such unity is essential for the progress and harmony of the Muslim community.
The Chief Imam also invited Muslims, particularly those on and around Lagos Island, to observe Tarawih prayers at the Lagos Central Mosque once Ramadan begins. He further urged the faithful to offer prayers for Lagos State and Nigeria throughout the holy month.
Quoting from the message, he said:
“As we did in previous years, so we shall do this year. We should be patient and await the announcement of the Ramadan moon sighting from the leader of Muslims in this country, Fadilatullah Ash-Shaykh Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto, Hafizahullah.
This is the programme of Allah and it is what we, the Muslims in Lagos State, will follow to achieve stronger unity. Allah says: Atiullah wa atiurasul wa ahluli amuru minkum — obey Allah, obey His Messenger, and those in authority among you.
In the meantime, people in and around Lagos Island should join us for Tarawih at the Lagos Central Mosque. Once we enter the holy month of Ramadan, let us pray for Lagos State and Nigeria.”
Ramadan fasting remains one of the strongest symbols of unity among Muslims across Nigeria. The Sultan of Sokoto continues to play a central role in fostering cohesion among Nigerian Muslims since ascending the Usmaniyyah throne on November 2, 2006.
