Lifestyle
Christmas: List of African Countries That Don’t Celebrate Birth of Jesus
Christmas celebrations in Africa vary significantly depending on the country’s religion, culture, and government policies.
Conversely, nations such as Algeria, Libya, Somalia, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, and Morocco observe Christmas minimally, influenced by their predominantly Muslim demographics.
This disparity underscores how local customs and religious compositions shape the observance of Christmas across the continent.
Countries like Zambia, Rwanda, and Nigeria feature vibrant public festivities due to their sizable Christian populations.
Data from World Population Review shows that not all 206 countries worldwide observe Christmas, even though it is celebrated in predominantly Christian nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States, and even in some Muslim-majority countries like Iraq, Syria, and surprisingly, the UAE.
In Africa, Christmas traditions vary widely. Countries like Zambia, Rwanda, and Nigeria mark the day with public holidays, large-scale festivities, and community gatherings. In contrast, in other parts of the continent, December 25 passes quietly, or not at all, shaped by local religious beliefs, cultural traditions, and government policies.
In Nigeria, for example, Christmas is a major national event, celebrated with church services, family gatherings, and lively public festivities that reflect the country’s large Christian population. Similarly, South Africa, Seychelles, and even Egypt host ceremonies, music performances, and community events, underscoring how central Christmas is to social and cultural life.
Countries Where Christmas Is Not Widely Observed
A small number of African nations do not formally recognize Christmas or observe it as a public holiday. Algeria, Libya, Somalia, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, and Morocco fall into this category. While Christian communities exist, they are small, and celebrations are typically private, low-key, or geared toward tourists rather than national observances.
In Algeria, for example, Christians make up less than 2% of the population, and December 25 passes like any other day. In Libya, where around 2.7% of the population is Christian, celebrations are largely restricted to homes and private gatherings, often occurring under the shadow of insecurity for minority communities.
A wonderful-picture of a-woman celebrating Christmas at the Giza-Pyramids
A wonderful-picture of a-woman celebrating Christmas at the Giza-Pyramids
Strict Observance and Private Celebrations
Somalia and Mauritania, both nearly 100% Muslim, largely ignore Christmas, treating December 25 as a normal working day. In Somalia, public celebrations are banned entirely, reflecting strict interpretations of Islamic law.
Morocco and Guinea-Bissau offer notable exceptions. In Morocco, major cities with strong tourism sectors, such as Marrakech and Casablanca, feature festive decorations, special hotel menus, and midnight masses for Christian expatriates, blending European traditions with local culture. Guinea-Bissau’s Christian minority celebrates quietly at home, often with modest meals and small gifts.
Countries like Zambia, Rwanda, and Nigeria feature vibrant public festivities due to their sizable Christian populations.
Countries like Zambia, Rwanda, and Nigeria feature vibrant public festivities due to their sizable Christian populations.
Why Christmas Celebrations Differ
The variation in observance across Africa is shaped by religion, culture, and government policy. Countries with large Christian populations, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, and Namibia, treat Christmas as a major national event with public holidays, church services, family gatherings, and community celebrations.
In predominantly Muslim nations, Christmas is typically a private or low-key event. Local religious norms, sometimes reinforced by law, limit public festivities, and political or security considerations may further restrict celebrations.
Ultimately, these differences highlight how Christmas, a globally recognised holiday, is experienced differently depending on local faith, cultural practices, and governance. In some African nations, it brings lights, music, and public celebrations; in others, it remains a quiet, private observance, or passes like any other day.
Lifestyle
Ooni Congratulates Prince Adekanmbi As Oniko-Elect
The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II has congratulated Prince Sunday Adekanmbi Olayode Asinloye II on his emergence as the Oniko-Elect of Ikolaje Idiriko Kingdom in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Prince Adekanmbi was elected and formally appointed as the Oniko-Elect on 10th February, 2026, by the Ikolaje Idiriko Council of Kingmakers, following due traditional processes and consultations in line with the customs of the ancient kingdom.
In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni described the emergence of Prince Adekanmbi as a testament to divine favour and the collective will of his people.
According to the statement, the Ooni commended the kingmakers for conducting a peaceful and credible selection process, noting that the stability of traditional institutions remains vital to cultural preservation and grassroots development across Yorubaland.
The Ooni urged the Oniko-Elect to embrace humility, wisdom and inclusiveness in the discharge of his royal duties, stressing that the throne is a sacred trust that demands selfless service, integrity and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people.
He further prayed for divine guidance, long life and a peaceful reign for Prince Adekanmbi, expressing confidence that his ascension would usher in a new era of unity, growth and prosperity for Ikolaje Idiriko Kingdom.
The Ooni also reaffirmed the importance of synergy among traditional rulers in Ogun State and beyond, emphasising the need for collaboration in promoting peace, security and socio-economic advancement within their respective domains.
Signed,
Otunba Moses Olafare,
Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace,
Ile-Ife.
Lifestyle
Watch: Trending Video Of Gen. Diya Crying, Begging Late General Sani Abacha Surfaces Online
Former Ogun State Leader, General Oladipo Diya, grovelling at General Sani Abacha’s feet, crying and begging the late Head Of State over the 1997 coup allegation.
Gen. Diya was crossed examined at the Human Rights Violation Commission (HRVIC) on the coup plan 1997 to overthrow Gen. Sanni Abacha. He bluntly denied the fact that he was part of the plan but he admitted he knew about the plan.
He further explained that he was afraid of being killed by the Coup Master Planner if he revealed the plan. He denied pleading with Gen. Sanni Abacha but was shocked to see the video where he truly knelt down before Gen. Sanni Abacha as tendered by the Lawyer.
Gen. Diya Oladipo then was appointed as Chief of Defense Staff. He was appointed Chief of General Staff in 1993 and Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council in 1994. In 1997 Diya and dissident soldiers in the military allegedly planned to overthrow the regime of Sani Abacha.
The alleged coup was uncovered by forces loyal to Abacha, and Diya and his cohorts were jailed. Diya was tried in a military tribunal and was given the death penalty. pon the untimely death of Abacha in 1998, Diya was pardoned by the late Head of State’s successor, Abdusalami Abubakar.
Below is a leaked video clip
Lifestyle
BREAKING!!! Panic As Tinubu Collapses And Fall In Turkey [VIDEO]
A video has emerged showing the moment President Bola Ahmed Tinubu momentarily tripped during his state visit to Turkey, according to Naija News.
Naija News reports that President Tinubu had on Monday arrived Ankara, the capital of Turkey for a state visit.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit to Turkiye is aimed at deepening cooperation in key sectors including security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.
Onanuga noted that the trip follows an earlier official visit to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan between October 19 and 20, 2021, which reinforced diplomatic ties between Abuja and Ankara.
During President Tinubu’s visit, both countries are expected to hold strategic political and diplomatic engagements focused on shared interests in finance, communication, trade, and investment.
The programme will also feature meetings between senior government officials from both nations, alongside the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and protocol.
A business forum will be held on the sidelines of the visit, bringing together Nigerian and Turkish investors to explore opportunities for mutual economic growth, the presidency noted.
Members of the President’s delegation participating in the bilateral engagements include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson.
Others on the entourage are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Suleiman-Ibrahim; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
Culled from Naija News
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