As the Christian faithful mark the birth of Jesus Christ today, President Bola Tinubu and state governors have admonished Nigerians to embrace peace.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to religious tolerance, declaring that no Nigerian would be made to suffer or die because of their religious beliefs, just as the Nigeria Labour Congress demanded tax justice.
In his Christmas message to Nigerians released on Wednesday, the President stressed that religious tolerance remains a core national value that binds the country together despite its diversity.
“No one, regardless of ethnicity or belief, should be made to suffer for professing and practising his faith,” Tinubu said.
“The love for God and the love for humanity are at the heart of all great faiths. These shared values must continue to bind us together as one indivisible and resilient people of our blessed country,” he added in the message personally signed by him.
The message, Tinubu’s third Christmas address since assuming office in May 2023, comes amid renewed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s religious freedom record. Two months earlier, the United States government redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged severe violations of religious freedom.
On October 31, 2025, former US President Donald Trump announced the redesignation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, claiming that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and alleging that “radical Islamists are responsible for mass unaliveings.”
However, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of all Nigerians to worship freely.
“That commitment remains steadfast under God and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All Nigerians have the right to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity,” he stated.
Tinubu, a Muslim married to a Christian wife, noted that since taking office in 2023, he has consistently reassured Nigerians of the government’s “unyielding commitment to safeguarding the security, unity, and stability of our nation.”
“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect people of all faiths from violence,” he said.
The President revealed that he has engaged extensively with leaders of Nigeria’s two major faiths throughout the year, especially amid concerns over religious intolerance and insecurity.
“We will build on these conversations to strengthen collaboration between government and religious institutions, prevent conflict, and promote peaceful coexistence,” he said, describing religious freedom as “a core tenet of our collective identity.”
Tinubu also paid tribute to Nigerian Christians for their contributions to national development.
“As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us reflect on the immense contributions Christians have made and continue to make towards the progress of our country,” he said, noting that Christ’s message has inspired many to care for the vulnerable and less privileged.
The President described Christmas as a season of hope, reminding Nigerians that “despite daunting challenges, God is with us.”
He wished Christians in Nigeria and around the world a Merry Christmas and prayed for peace, particularly among people of different faiths. Tinubu also urged Nigerians travelling during the holidays to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing them safe journeys. “With confidence in divine providence and our collective strength, we will continue building a greater Nigeria that future generations will be proud of,” he added.
Govs preach love
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, congratulated the state’s residents on the 2025 Christmas celebration, urging them to embrace love, unity and Christ-like living as foundations for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development.
In a message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, Oborevwori called on residents to reflect on the virtues of sacrifice, compassion and selfless service exemplified by Jesus Christ.
He commended Deltans for their resilience and unity, noting that their cooperation has been instrumental to the progress recorded under his administration’s MORE Agenda.
The governor highlighted achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, agriculture and security, citing ongoing road and flyover projects, improved healthcare facilities and investments in human capital.
Oborevwori also noted improvements in workers’ welfare, peacebuilding initiatives and social intervention programmes for widows, women and youths. He disclosed that the 2026 Delta State budget prioritises infrastructure expansion, job creation, education, healthcare and agriculture.
“The 2026 budget consolidates our gains and addresses the pressing needs of our people,” he said, assuring that no community would be left behind.
Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Radda, extended Christmas greetings to Christians in the state and across Nigeria, urging them to reflect on Christ’s teachings of love, sacrifice and peace.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, Radda emphasised unity and tolerance as essential for national progress, assuring Christians of his administration’s commitment to protecting their rights and ensuring freedom of worship.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, in a Christmas message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, urged residents to draw strength from the Word of God, especially amid grief following the death of his deputy.
Quoting 2 Corinthians 12:9, Diri said God’s grace shines brightest in moments of weakness, urging Christians to celebrate Christmas with reverence, hope and modesty.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, described Christmas as a symbol of hope and redemption, urging citizens to practice love, unity and generosity despite economic and security challenges.
Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, urged residents to uphold love, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, expressing optimism about the state’s future.
Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, challenged Christians to pray for peace and an end to insecurity, highlighting steps taken by his administration to strengthen security infrastructure.
‘Strength in unity’
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, extended warm greetings to Nigerian workers and citizens, wishing them peace, joy, and rejuvenation during the 2025 Christmas celebrations.
The labour union acknowledged the economic hardships facing millions of Nigerians, noting that “the weight of economic hardship, policies that inflict suffering, and forces that press our nation into the morass of servitude and hardship can make the present seem bleak.”
However, the NLC emphasised that hope remains alive, rooted not in mere wishes, but in collective action.
“Our hope of a revival is not passive, and it is not a mere wish. It is built on a concrete foundation: our collective power and the action that it can potentiate,” the statement read.
Highlighting the strength of unity, the NLC urged citizens to resist division along tribal, religious, or regional lines.
“We must not allow the forces that oppress us to divide us by tribe, religion, or region. Our strength lies in our unity. Let us forge a coalition of the righteous, a mighty, indivisible movement of the people, committed to building a truly egalitarian nation, a nation that caters for the majority, not a privileged few,” the NLC added.
The union also stressed the importance of self-love as a strategic foundation for national development. “In the spirit of this season of love, we must first demonstrate love to ourselves. This self-love is not selfish; it is strategic. It is shown in our determination to build ourselves into a strong, disciplined collective to protect our interests, our wages, our pensions, and our dignity,” the statement said.
The labour leader called for decisive action against corruption, exploitation, injustice, insecurity, and poor governance, describing such efforts as “the most credible, sustainable celebration we can undertake.”
Against the background of the new tax laws, which will take effect from January 1, the NLC warned against unjust laws. “Together, in this season and beyond, we must insist on tax justice, where the rich pay their fair share and all forms of regressive taxation are removed.
‘’It is therefore our responsibility to once again remind the Government that any tax system that does not include workers in its formulation and passage into law remains an unjust tax. Any tax system that is mired in apparent distortion and outright falsification is unacceptable and should therefore be rejected by all,” the statement noted.
The NLC further called for broader social justice, urging access to quality healthcare, education, and security for all citizens.
Punch News