Christmas: Nigerian gov approves 20-day leave for civil servants

Determined to ensure civil servants participate fully in the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, the governor of Cross River state, Bassey Otu, has instructed all government workers in the state to embark on a 20-day holiday beginning December 15, 2025.

The directive was conveyed in a circular referenced GO/HOS/4/Vol.II1/277 and endorsed by the state’s head of service, Orok Okon.

According to the notice, workers, excluding those assigned to essential duties, are to proceed on leave from December 15, 2025, to January 5, 2026.

“The approval is to enable Civil/Public Servants fully participate in the Christmas festivities within the state.

“However, officers on essential duties are hereby exempted from this leave and are expected to remain at their duly posts to ensure continuous delivery of critical public services.

“Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments are requested to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of all staff and ensure strict compliance,” it stated.

The state’s annual Carnival Calabar, touted as Africa’s largest street party, is among the major events scheduled for the festive season. This year marks the 20th edition of the carnival, which began under the Donald Duke administration in 2005.