President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the simultaneous occurrence of the 2026 Ramadan and the Christian Lenten season as a divine signal for Nigerians to pursue a common goal of unity, peace, and national stability.
Speaking on Wednesday while declaring open the 2026 Ramadan Tafsir at the State House Mosque in Abuja, the President emphasized that the convergence of these two holy periods offers a rare window for citizens of different faiths to collaborate in the interest of the country.
Addressing a gathering of top government officials and religious leaders, the President noted that God Almighty is providing the nation with a clear sign of the need for collaboration.
He stressed that beyond the ritual of fasting, the principal objectives of the season remain getting closer to God, performing acts of goodness, and fostering an environment of mutual forgiveness.
President Tinubu specifically appealed to the spirit of the season to seek understanding and forgiveness, echoing the teachings of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
He urged the Muslim Ummah to view their commitment to nation-building not merely as a thirty-day obligation but as a lifelong dedication to goodwill.
He further called for intense prayers for the vulnerable and for the country, expressing optimism that divine intervention would assist the administration in surmounting current challenges, particularly in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwaheed Abubakar Suleiman, delivered a sermon focused on the welfare of the people, offering prayers for the President’s health and the success of his efforts to improve the well-being of all Nigerians.
The spiritual session served as a solemn reminder of the role of faith in steering the affairs of the state toward a more stable and prosperous future.
The opening of the Tafsir was attended by several high-ranking dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Other cabinet members in attendance included the Ministers of Agriculture, Solid Minerals, and Labour, alongside senior legislative aides, signaling a unified front in the administration’s call for national reconciliation.