The Jigawa State Government has announced a reduction in official working hours for civil servants throughout the ongoing 2026 Ramadan fast.
This was contained in a statement signed by the State Head of Civil Service, Muhammad Dagaceri, and made available to journalists in Dutse on Wednesday by the Public Relations Officer, Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Jigawa State, Ismaila Dutse.
According to the statement, the state governor, Umar Namadi, has approved a reduction in official working hours to allow civil servants more time to observe Ramadan.
“Civil servants will now work from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, instead of the usual 5:00 pm closing time.
“On Fridays, working hours will be from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, following existing practice.
“The adjustment in working hours is expected to boost productivity and morale among civil servants during the holy month,” Dagaceri said.
He explained that the adjustment is intended to ease the burden on civil servants, allowing them more time to prepare for iftar and engage in Ramadan’s spiritual activities.
“It is expected that civil servants will take advantage of this period to pray for God’s guidance and blessings upon our state,” he stated.
Moreover, the Head of Service encouraged workers to use the opportunity to pray for peace, stability, and economic prosperity in Jigawa State and across Nigeria.
He, however, urged civil servants to utilise the reduced working hours to enhance their spiritual growth and contribute to the overall development of the state.
Accordingly, the Head of Service expressed gratitude to the government for considering their welfare during Ramadan.
As the sun set on the first day of Ramadan in Dutse, the announcement by the Jigawa State Government adjusting working hours for civil servants was met with smiles and sighs of relief, as some of the workers expressed while being separately interviewed by the PUNCH Correspondent.
“This is a welcome development. It will give us ample time to observe Ramadan and perform our duties effectively,” said Ahmed Danladi, a civil servant at the Ministry of Education.
Rafi’u Abdullahi, a worker at the Jigawa State Water Board, echoed Musa’s sentiments, saying, “This is a good move by the government. It will help us to manage our time better and focus on our spiritual growth during Ramadan.”
The beneficiaries interviewed expressed their gratitude to the government, praying for peace, stability, and prosperity in the state.
“We pray that Allah blesses our state and guides our leaders to make more decisions that benefit the people,” Abdullahi said.
Ramadan is a holy month devoted to fasting from dawn to dusk, increased prayers, charity, and spiritual renewal.
It is one of the five pillars of Islam and represents obedience, self-discipline, and total submission to God.
Credit: punchng.com
