Lent, Ramadan begin same day, remind us we're one people under God

President Bola Tinubu has extended warm greetings to Christians and Muslims across Nigeria as the 2026 Lenten season and Ramadan commence simultaneously, describing the rare coincidence as a powerful reminder of the nation’s shared faith and unity under God.

In a State House press statement issued on February 18, 2026, the President noted that the convergence of the two major religious observances was both uncommon and deeply symbolic.

“With profound reverence to God Almighty, I greet the Christian and Muslim faithful on the solemn occasions of Lent and Ramadan,” President Tinubu stated.

He emphasized that the simultaneous commencement of the sacred periods highlights the common spiritual values shared by adherents of both faiths.

“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,” he said.

The President described Lent as a sacred period for Christians, marked by fasting, abstinence and penitence, recalling the example of Jesus Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness before His crucifixion.

“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 explained.

On Ramadan, Tinubu noted that the holy month represents one of the five pillars of Islam and is a time of deep spiritual devotion for Muslims worldwide.

“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,” he said. “Beyond the obligatory fasting, Ramadan calls for deep spiritual reflection in obedience to Islam’s injunctions.”

The President urged Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and good neighbourliness during the sacred seasons, particularly amid ongoing national challenges.

“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,” Tinubu stated.

He called on citizens to uphold the core teachings of their faiths and demonstrate integrity in their relationships with one another.

“Let us live by the good precepts of our faiths and be honourable in our duty to God and fellow humans,” he added.

Tinubu concluded with prayers that the spiritual lessons and blessings of Lent and Ramadan would endure beyond the seasons.

“I pray that the lessons, blessings and joys of these sacred seasons abide with us always,” the President said.

The dual observance of Lent and Ramadan is expected to foster interfaith harmony across the country, as millions of Christians and Muslims engage in fasting, prayer and acts of charity in the coming weeks.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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