CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – The Cross River State Government has approved a comprehensive year-end holiday for all civil and public servants, granting leave from Monday, December 15, 2025, to Monday, January 5, 2026, according to a circular issued on December 5 by the Head of Service, Orok Bassey Okon.
The document states that the approval follows the directive of the Governor and is designed to enable workers “fully participate in the Christmas festivities within the State.”
In the circular addressed to top government officials including commissioners, permanent secretaries, auditors-general, and heads of extra-ministerial departments, the Head of Service emphasized that the holiday applies to all cadres of civil and public servants.
However, he stressed that “officers on essential duties are hereby exempted from this leave and are expected to remain at their duty posts to ensure continuous delivery of critical public services,” a clause that reinforces government duty of care to citizens.
The approval mirrors earlier decisions made by the State in previous years. The last comparable break was granted in December 2023 under Governor Bassey Otu, who declared a 14-day Christmas and New Year holiday for the state workforce from December 20, 2023, to January 2, 2024.
That announcement, widely reported at the time, praised civil servants for their dedication and urged them to use the festive period for family bonding and active participation in the Calabar Carnival, which historically drives seasonal economic activities.
Reports from the 2023 declaration highlighted that the Governor described the holiday as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of the workforce’s commitment to state development. He encouraged residents to embrace peace, unity, and communal celebration throughout the festive season. These same themes are reflected in the December 2025 circular, suggesting continuity in policy direction and emphasis on public-service welfare.
In 2023, government statements also indicated that the holiday aligned with major carnival events, including the bikers’ parade, street parties, concerts, children’s activities, cultural showcases, and traditional displays that attract visitors from across the country. The extended break was framed as a strategic support to both public morale and local tourism. The 2025 directive appears to follow this tradition, as the Christmas calendar remains a major driver of social cohesion and economic activity in the state.
The latest leave decision raises important questions within the context of situational ethics, especially regarding fairness, worker welfare, and the government’s obligation to sustain essential services. While the holiday recognizes the need for rest and festive inclusion, the exemption of essential-duty officers demonstrates an ethical balance between compassion for workers and responsibility to safeguard uninterrupted public functions.
Hospitals, security agencies, emergency response teams, and other critical units fall under this exemption, ensuring that citizens are not disadvantaged by the mass holiday.
Administrative heads across ministries and agencies have been instructed to ensure full dissemination of the circular to all categories of staff. The Head of Service urged them to enforce “strict compliance,” signaling the importance of coordinated implementation across government institutions.
As the December 15 commencement date approaches, civil servants across the state are expected to begin end-of-year wrap-ups, pending handover notes, and internal planning that precedes long festive breaks. Analysts say the extended holiday may boost household activities, seasonal spending, and internal travel, potentially providing positive ripple effects for local businesses.
However, some policy watchers argue that repeated extended holidays require careful planning to avoid disruption of administrative timelines, especially in sectors with pending year-end audits, procurement processes, and transition reporting. For this reason, the mention of essential-duty exemptions remains a crucial governance safeguard.
The 2025 directive, like its 2023 precedent, reflects the state’s evolving approach to employee welfare and public-service morale. It equally points to a broader recognition that festive periods hold cultural and social importance for residents across Cross River State, especially in urban centres like Calabar that host some of Nigeria’s largest holiday gatherings.
The circular concluded with a reminder for all departments to act accordingly, signalling that preparations should begin immediately. Workers are therefore expected to comply with internal briefings as the state counts down to the end-of-year period.
Keep following Truthlivenews for more updates on this development and other public-service announcements from Cross River State.