President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for unity, peace and deeper spiritual reflection among Nigerians as Christians and Muslims commence the solemn seasons of Lent and Ramadan on the same day.
In a message released on Wednesday by the State House, the President described the rare convergence of the two sacred periods as a reminder of shared values among people of faith and a call to national harmony.
“With profound reverence to God Almighty, I greet the Christian and Muslim faithful on the solemn occasions of Lent and Ramadan,” the President said.
“This year, Lent and Ramadan begin on the same day. 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 highlighted the spiritual significance of both observances. He noted that for Christians, Lent is a season of fasting, abstinence and penitence in reflection of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, while Ramadan represents for Muslims a period of devotion, discipline and submission to God.
“For Christians, the Lenten season is a time for fasting, abstinence, and penitence, following Jesus Christ’s example in the wilderness before His crucifixion, which brought salvation to mankind,” he said.
“For Muslims, Ramadan is a hallowed season that reflects total submission to God Almighty and His command of sacrifice, devotion, service, and communal love and giving. It marks one of the five pillars of Islam. Beyond the obligatory fasting, Ramadan calls for deep spiritual reflection in obedience to Islam’s injunctions.”
President Tinubu urged Nigerians to use the twin observances as an opportunity to strengthen national unity and promote peaceful coexistence across religious and ethnic lines.
“As a nation and as a people, I urge us, as we embark on these important observances, to ensure good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity, and stability, and pray for the progress and security of our nation,” he said.
The President further called on citizens to live according to the moral teachings of their respective faiths and to remain committed to their duties to God and humanity.
“Let us live by the good precepts of our faiths and be honourable in our duty to God and fellow humans,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the spiritual lessons from the seasons would endure beyond the period of fasting and reflection, saying: “I pray that the lessons, blessings, and joys of these sacred seasons abide with us always.”
The Lenten season for Christians traditionally lasts 40 days, culminating in Easter celebrations, while Ramadan runs for 29 or 30 days and ends with the Eid al-Fitr festival. Both periods are marked by fasting, prayer, charity and reflection.
- Tinubu Appoints Uba Sani as Renewed Hope Ambassador, Party Outreach Deputy DG - February 18, 2026
- President Tinubu Signs Electoral Act 2026 Amendment Into Law - February 18, 2026
- President Tinubu Urges Peaceful Coexistence as Lent, Ramadan Begin - February 18, 2026