Financial institutions across Nigeria have issued official notifications to their customers regarding adjusted operating schedules for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. This move aligns with the federal government's declaration of public holidays, prompting banks to modify their branch operations nationwide.
Revised Banking Hours for the Festive Season
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays for Christmas and Boxing Day. Furthermore, Thursday, January 1, 2026, is also a public holiday for New Year's Day. In response, banks have coordinated early closures on the preceding days to allow both staff and customers adequate preparation time.
Key dates for banking operations are as follows:
- Tuesday, December 24, 2025: Early closure of bank branches.
- Wednesday, December 25, 2025: Full closure for Christmas Day.
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025: Early closure of bank branches.
- Thursday, January 1, 2026: Full closure for New Year's Day.
Bank-Specific Schedules and Customer Advisories
Individual banks have communicated their specific timings directly to customers via SMS and official channels. Ecobank Nigeria informed its customers that branches nationwide will close early at 1:00 pm on both December 24 and December 31. The bank's branches will be fully shut on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
In a message to customers, Ecobank stated: "We encourage you to make use of our digital channels, which are available 24/7 for your banking needs. These channels include Ecobank Online, Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, *326#, Cards, Omni Lite, Omni Plus, and ATMs."
Similarly, Wema Bank announced that all its branches would close early at 2:00 pm on December 24 and December 31. Normal services are scheduled to resume on Monday, December 29, 2025, and Friday, January 2, 2026, respectively.
Lotus Bank also notified its clientele of an early closure at 3:00 pm on December 24, with branches reopening on Monday, December 29.
Embracing Digital and Alternative Banking Channels
With reduced physical access to banking halls, financial institutions have strongly urged customers to utilize electronic platforms for all transactions. Banks have assured the public that services on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mobile banking applications, internet banking portals, and USSD codes will remain fully operational and uninterrupted throughout the holiday period.
This directive is intended to ensure seamless financial transactions for deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and bill payments while branch networks are offline. Customers are advised to plan their financial activities ahead of the early closures and to rely on these secure digital alternatives.
The coordinated early closures reflect the banking industry's adherence to national holidays while emphasizing the robust and growing infrastructure for digital financial services in Nigeria, which allows for continuous customer service even during festive breaks.
