ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for unity, peace and renewed spiritual commitment as Christians and Muslims across Nigeria begin the sacred seasons of Lent and Ramadan on the same day — a rare convergence he described as a powerful symbol of shared faith and national togetherness.
In a State House press statement issued on February 18, 2026, the President extended warm greetings to adherents of both faiths, urging Nigerians to use the solemn period for reflection, sacrifice and prayers for the nation’s progress and security.
“This is not a common occurrence, and it reminds us that as a people of faith, we share a lot in common and are one people under God,” the President stated.
A Season of Reflection and Sacrifice.President Tinubu noted that for Christians, Lent represents a sacred period of fasting, abstinence and penitence, following the example of Jesus Christ in the wilderness before His crucifixion — an act central to the message of salvation.
For Muslims, he described Ramadan as a hallowed month of total submission to God Almighty, marked by sacrifice, devotion, charity and communal love. Beyond the obligatory fast, he said, the holy month calls for deep spiritual reflection and obedience to the injunctions of Islam.
The President emphasised that both seasons, though rooted in different traditions, promote similar values of self-discipline, compassion, humility and service to humanity.
A Call for Peace and Good Neighbourliness
At a time when national cohesion remains a priority, President Tinubu urged citizens to embrace good neighbourliness, promote unity and contribute to the stability of the country.
“As a nation and as a people, I urge us… to promote peace, unity and stability, and pray for the progress and security of our nation,” he said.
Observers say the rare alignment of Lent and Ramadan offers a symbolic opportunity for interfaith harmony in Nigeria — Africa’s most populous nation, where Christians and Muslims form the majority of the population.
The President further encouraged Nigerians to live by the noble precepts of their respective faiths and to remain honourable in their duties to God and fellow citizens.
He concluded with prayers that the lessons, blessings and spiritual gains of the sacred seasons would endure beyond the period of fasting.
As churches prepare for Lenten observances and mosques begin nightly Taraweeh prayers, the President’s message underscores a broader theme — that faith, when anchored in unity and mutual respect, can serve as a powerful force for national transformation.
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