Discover how to transform your 25 annual leave days into 57 days off in 2025 using smart planning and Nigeria’s public holidays.
Happy New Year!!!
Here’s a little fun fact: I Haven’t Taken Work Leave in Two Years.
It’s true. Part of it is actually my fault because I kept pushing my annual leave down the line. Deadlines, projects, “maybe next quarter.” You name it, I had an excuse. And when I moved from the regular 9-5 life to being an independent contractor, it just…slipped past me.
But let me tell you, the burnout is real, and it’s not worth it.
Don’t be like me. Don’t make the same mistake in 2025. This year, it’s all about locking in and being the absolute best you can be– fully rested, energised and hyped. That means we need to work smart—not just on the job but with your leave days. Most people get just 25 annual leave days from their offices, but you can enjoy 57 days off—yes, that’s two full months of breaks spread across the year!
With a little smart planning, you can turn 2025 into a year of extra-long weekends, lazy mornings, and guilt-free holidays—all while staying within your 25-day annual leave limit.
Here’s how you can hack it.
If, by some stroke of luck, the little HR in your head is asking you if this is ethical– yes, it is.
And if that’s not enough to convince you, picture this:
It’s Monday morning. Your group chat is buzzing with complaints about traffic, deadlines, and Monday blues. But not you. You’re halfway into a long breakfast, flipping through photos from your weekend road trip, knowing the rest of your week is just as blissfully free.
Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
The Ultimate 2025 Annual Leave Plan
We’ve crunched the numbers and aligned Nigerian public holidays with weekends to create a leave plan that gives you 57 days off using just 25 leave days.
Start Strong in April
- Take April 2-4 & April 7-12 (12 leave days).
- Thanks to the Easter holidays, weekends, and some leave magic, you’ll enjoy 25 days off from March 28 – April 21.
A Mid-Year Breather in June
- Take June 11 & June 13 (2 leave days).
- Thanks to Democracy Day and weekends, you get 9 days off from June 7-15.
Recharge the batteries in September
- Take September 8-12 (5 leave days).
- With just one workweek off, you can add in the long weekend and still score 10 days off from September 5-14.
End the Year Right in December
- Take December 22 – January 2 (6 leave days).
- This move gives you 13 days off from December 20 – January 2, perfect for the holiday/ festive season!
Extra Credit:
May 1 (Workers’ Day) and October 1 (Independence Day) are standalone public holidays. Bonus chill time? Yes, please.
Total Hack: 25 leave days = 57 days off!
Why Plan Now?
This should be a no-brainer, but your annual leave is more than just time away from work—it’s your chance to reset, reconnect, and make memories that don’t involve a desk or a Zoom link. Start planning now so you’re not stuck scrambling for dates when the year’s already underway.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Leave
- Book Early: The earlier you lock in your dates, the easier it is to avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Sync with Friends or Family: Want company? Share this guide and plan your trips together.
- Plan for You: Whether you’re planning to solo travel, have some key family time, or just stay in for Netflix/ Prime marathons, make your leave days count for what matters most to you.
Ready to Hack Your 2025?
Start planning your 2025 leave today. Mark the dates, block your calendar and make this the year you prioritise you. For more tips on achieving work-life balance, check out our Work-Life Blog.
Here’s to a smarter, more relaxed you in 2025!
— Dami from SimplVest 🚀🚀🚀
P.S. Don’t keep the secret—share this newsletter with your friends and help them get more out of 2025, too.
