[RAMADAN UPDATE]: Sultan Directs Muslims To Watch For Moon From Feb 17 As Tomato Farmers Dismiss Price Hike Fears (Full Details)

Also Read

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Muslims across Nigeria to look out for the new moon of Ramadan from the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Online Reporters gathered that the directive was conveyed in a statement issued by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Is-haq Oloyede.

Ramadan Date Depends On Moon Sighting

According to the Sultan, if the crescent is sighted on Tuesday, February 17, fasting for the holy month of Ramadan will commence on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

However, if the moon is not sighted that evening, the Ramadan fast will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

He disclosed that the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC), working in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has put necessary arrangements in place for the official observation of the moon.

Tomato Farmers Speak On Food Prices

Meanwhile, the Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has allayed fears of a possible hike in the prices of tomatoes and other vegetables during the Ramadan period.

The Kaduna State Chairman of the association, Rabiu Zuntu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Zuntu explained that unlike previous years when tomato and pepper prices surged during Ramadan due to high demand, this year’s fasting period coincides with the peak harvest season in many northern states.

According to him, the bumper harvest and favourable market timing are expected to stabilise supply and possibly drive prices down during the holy month.

Muslims across the country now await the official announcement following the moon sighting on Tuesday evening.