President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to promote unity, peace, and civic responsibility as Christians and Muslims observe Lent and Ramadan, which coincide on the same day this year — a rare occurrence he says reminds citizens that “as people of faith, we share a lot in common and are one people under God.”
In a statement issued from the Statehouse on February 18, 2026, the President reflected on the spiritual significance of both seasons, urging Nigerians to draw lessons from their faiths.
He noted that for Christians, Lent is a period of fasting, abstinence, and penitence, following the example of Jesus Christ while for Muslims, Ramadan is a sacred time emphasizing submission to God, sacrifice, devotion, and communal giving.
“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.
“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,” he stated.
President Tinubu also urged citizens to use the observances as an opportunity to foster good neighbourliness, promote peace, unity, and stability, and to pray for the progress and security of the nation.
He encouraged Nigerians to live by the precepts of their faiths, demonstrating honourable conduct toward God and fellow humans in their daily lives.
Concluding his message, President Tinubu prayed that the lessons, blessings, and joys of these sacred seasons abide with all Nigerians, reminding citizens that the spiritual reflection and moral discipline observed during Lent and Ramadan can strengthen both communities and the nation at large.