President Bola Tinubu has called on Christians and Muslims across Nigeria to seize the rare alignment of Lent and Ramadan as a powerful moment to strengthen national unity, deepen mutual understanding, and pray for the country’s stability.

In a personally signed statement, the president described the simultaneous commencement of the two sacred seasons as an uncommon occurrence that highlights the shared values at the heart of both faiths. He noted that the convergence serves as a reminder that Nigerians, regardless of religious affiliation, are bound together as one people under God.

Tinubu explained that for Christians, Lent represents a 40-day period of fasting, abstinence, repentance, and self-examination, modeled on the biblical account of Jesus Christ’s time in the wilderness before his crucifixion. It is a season marked by prayer, charity, and a renewed commitment to spiritual discipline.

For Muslims, he said, Ramadan is a month-long observance of fasting from dawn to sunset, intensified prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, and acts of charity. As one of the five pillars of Islam, it symbolizes obedience, humility, and total submission to the will of God.

By beginning together this year, Tinubu argued, the two observances offer a unique opportunity for adherents of both religions to reflect on their common emphasis on sacrifice, compassion, and moral renewal. He urged Nigerians to translate these shared values into everyday conduct that promotes peace and good neighbourliness.

The president appealed to worshippers to use the period to pray fervently for the country’s progress, security, and social cohesion, stressing that spiritual devotion must be matched by responsible citizenship and respect for one another.

“Let us live by the good precepts of our faiths and be honourable in our duty to God and fellow humans,” he said, calling on religious leaders to guide their congregations toward messages that heal divisions rather than inflame them.

Tinubu concluded by praying that the lessons, blessings, and joys of Lent and Ramadan would endure in the lives of Nigerians long after the seasons end, fostering a more just, peaceful, and united nation.