The year 2025 has been a rollercoaster not only for Nigerians but for the entire world. It was a year marked by triumphs and trials, hope and hardship, with events that shaped societies positively and others that left lasting scars.
From political shifts and economic pressures to technological advances and global uncertainties, 2025 recorded moments that will remain etched in history. As the curtain falls on the year, many Nigerians are eager to turn the page and step into 2026 with renewed expectations, hoping the new year will bring better fortunes.
As Nigeria prepares to welcome the New Year, it is worth noting that several countries across the globe have already ushered in 2026 or will do so ahead of Africa’s most populous nation.
Read Also:
2025 in Memoriam: Nigerians and Global Icons Who Left a Lasting Legacy
Kwankwaso Cautions Loyalists Against Betrayal in Kano Politics
Beyond Betrayal: The Real Politics Behind Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Calculated Move
This difference is determined by global time zones, with countries farther east entering the new year earlier.
Countries That Will Welcome 2026 Before Nigeria
New Zealand
New Zealand, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean made up of the North and South Islands, will be among the first to enter 2026.
Fiji
The Republic of Fiji, located in the South Pacific Ocean with its capital in Suva, is another early entrant into the new year.
Japan
Japan, an island nation in East Asia, has already welcomed 2026.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, bordered by China, Russia, and South Korea, has also crossed into the new year.
South Korea
South Korea joins other East Asian nations in ringing in 2026 ahead of Nigeria.
China
China, the world’s most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, has entered 2026.
Singapore
The Republic of Singapore, a sovereign island city-state in Southeast Asia, is among the nations celebrating the new year.
Indonesia
Indonesia, spanning Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, has also welcomed 2026.
Russia
Russia, a transcontinental country across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, will soon celebrate the new year, ahead of Nigeria’s midnight countdown.
As Nigerians prepare for the final countdown to midnight, the global celebration of the new year highlights how time zones shape the world’s shared moments, reminding us that while the calendar changes at different hours, the hope for a better year is universal.