Christmas Day is a public holiday in Nigeria, but life doesn’t fully shut down. Families still need last‑minute groceries for lunch, cold drinks, baby items, pain relief, fuel for the generator, or a quick stop for gifts. And in big cities—from Lagos to Abuja to Port Harcourt—many shoppers are still out today.
The catch: opening hours can change fast on Christmas Day, and some outlets may open late, close early, or operate only selected branches. Here’s what’s open (and how to confirm before you step out), based on announcements and reporting from 24–25 December 2025.
Why Nigerians are still shopping today
Across the country, Christmas shopping has spilled into the holiday itself—partly because of late travel arrivals, partly because of real‑time price swings, and partly because markets and malls have become part of the Christmas “outing.”
- In Delta, Asaba markets were already packed on Christmas Eve as shoppers pushed through crowds and higher costs for food, clothes, toys and festive items, according to The Pointer on 24 December 2025. ( [1])
- On 25 December 2025, The Guardian reports that many Nigerians are celebrating amid sharp increases in food prices and transportation fares, which is pushing more people to “buy what’s necessary, when they can.” ( [2])
In other words: if you didn’t stock up early, you’re not alone—and plenty of retailers are planning for that demand.
Supermarkets open on Christmas Day in Nigeria
SPAR Nigeria: open on Christmas Day (with posted hours)
If you’re looking for a major supermarket chain that has publicly signalled Christmas Day access, SPAR Nigeria has announced it will be open on Christmas Day and has shared 10:00am–6:00pm as trading hours in a recent post. ( [3])
SPAR has also promoted Christmas‑season in‑store activity tied to specific dates (including 24th and 25th December at SPAR Opebi), another clue that at least some locations are trading across the holiday. ( [4])
Tip: treat the 10am–6pm window as a baseline for Christmas Day shopping, then confirm your closest branch before leaving—traffic, staffing and location rules can still affect hours.
Prince Ebeano Supermarket: Christmas Day opening confirmed by the brand
Prince Ebeano Supermarket has also told customers it will be open to serve on Christmas Day, in a post from its official channel ahead of the holiday. ( [5])
If you’re on the Lekki axis and your usual options feel uncertain, this is one of the clearer “yes, we’re open” signals available right now.
A reality check on Shoprite availability in some areas
If your plan was “just run to Shoprite,” keep expectations realistic—especially in Abuja. Earlier reporting this year described operational strain and closures affecting some Shoprite locations in Nigeria. ( [6])
That doesn’t mean every Shoprite is shut today—but it does mean Christmas Day shoppers should verify your exact branch (and have a backup supermarket option).
Shopping malls: who is likely open today (and what hours to expect)
Christmas Day mall access in Nigeria tends to vary: some centres open with “public holiday” hours, some operate reduced schedules, and some open the mall but have many individual stores closed.
Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja: public holiday hours listed
Jabi Lake Mall lists its Public Holiday trading hours as 10:00am–9:00pm on its official site. ( [7])
That’s a strong indicator the centre expects trading to continue on public holidays—though individual stores inside the mall may still run shorter hours.
The Palms Mall, Lekki: daily opening hours posted
The Palms Mall’s official site lists 9:00am–8:00pm as opening hours across the week. ( [8])
For Christmas Day specifically, the most reliable approach is to confirm the exact store you’re visiting (supermarket vs. fashion vs. electronics), because mall‑level hours don’t always match tenant hours.
Ikeja City Mall, Lagos: extended Christmas Eve hours announced
If you shopped yesterday and noticed later trading, you weren’t imagining it: Ikeja City Mall announced extended hours on Christmas Eve (24 December), stating it would trade 8:00am–10:00pm. ( [9])
For Christmas Day, check the mall’s latest update or the specific anchor tenant you need (supermarket, cinema, pharmacy, etc.).
Pharmacies and health essentials: where to look first today
When it’s Christmas Day, pharmacies typically fall into two buckets: 24/7 branches (most reliable) and mall‑based branches (more variable).
Medplus: 24/7 branches exist (check the closest one)
Medplus has promoted that its 24/7 stores are always open for late‑night and early‑morning needs. ( [10])
That’s useful on Christmas Day—just make sure you’re heading to a true 24/7 location, not a standard branch with reduced public‑holiday hours.
H-Medix (Abuja): a 24-hour option is being promoted locally
If you’re in Abuja, local city guides are flagging H‑Medix (Gwarinpa) as a major 24‑hour option in the area, including in content dated 24 December 2025. ( [11])
For emergencies, also remember that hospital pharmacies may be operating even when retail pharmacies are closed—especially near large public/private hospitals.
What’s usually closed or limited on Christmas Day
Even with plenty of retail activity, certain services are commonly limited today:
- Banks and many offices typically close because Christmas Day is a national public holiday. (Nigeria’s public holidays for Christmas/Boxing Day are formally recognised nationwide.) ( [12])
- Many small boutiques and service businesses choose to close fully; some are already posting “closed on Dec 25” notices to customers. ( [13])
If your errand depends on office processes (documentation, banking hall services, government counters), assume it won’t happen today unless explicitly confirmed.
How to confirm a shop is open today (without wasting a trip)
Because Christmas Day trading can change by location, use a “two‑step check” before leaving home:
- Check the brand’s latest post (Instagram/Facebook/X) for Christmas Day confirmation and hours (many businesses update within 12–24 hours of the holiday).
- Call the specific branch you’re going to—especially for supermarkets, pharmacies, electronics stores and mall anchor tenants.
Extra practical tips for Nigeria on Christmas Day:
- Go with a short list and buy essentials first—popular items can sell out fast when restocking is limited. (Today’s price‑pressure reporting suggests demand is still intense.) ( [14])
- Carry a backup payment option (cash + card/transfer), because crowd volume can stress networks in busy retail corridors.
- If you’re mall‑bound, don’t assume “mall open” means “your store open.” Confirm the tenant.
A quick safety note for shoppers on 25 December 2025
If you’re heading into crowded public spaces—markets, malls, busy roadside retail—be alert and keep movement simple. This matters even more today after security concerns in the northeast: Reuters reported a deadly attack in Maiduguri on Christmas Day, with local authorities urging vigilance in public spaces during the festive period. ( [15])
This isn’t a reason to panic—but it’s a reminder to shop smart: stay aware, avoid unnecessary congestion, and keep personal security in mind.
Bottom line: where to shop on Christmas Day in Nigeria
If you need to shop today, start with options that have the clearest “open” signals:
- SPAR Nigeria (Christmas Day opening announced; posted hours indicate 10am–6pm) ( [16])
- Prince Ebeano Supermarket (brand messaging indicates it will be open on Christmas Day) ( [17])
- Major malls with posted public‑holiday trading hours, such as Jabi Lake Mall (10am–9pm public holiday hours listed) ( [18])
- 24/7 pharmacies, including Medplus 24/7 locations and prominent 24‑hour options being highlighted in Abuja ( [19])
And if your usual go‑to store is uncertain, verify first—especially in places where store closures have been in the news this year. ( [20])
References
1. www.thepointersnewsonline.com, 2. guardian.ng, 3. www.instagram.com, 4. www.instagram.com, 5. www.facebook.com, 6. www.premiumtimesng.com, 7. www.jabilakemallabuja.com, 8. www.thepalmsmall.com, 9. www.facebook.com, 10. www.instagram.com, 11. www.instagram.com, 12. www.vanguardngr.com, 13. www.instagram.com, 14. guardian.ng, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.instagram.com, 17. www.facebook.com, 18. www.jabilakemallabuja.com, 19. www.instagram.com, 20. www.premiumtimesng.com
