ABUJA, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 – President Bola Tinubu urges governors to prioritise the poor, empower youth, expand grassroots development and back state police reform during Ramadan-Lent gathering in Abuja.
At the heart of the Tinubu Interfaith Fast, President Bola Tinubu has called on governors across Nigeria to prioritise the poor, empower the underprivileged and deepen grassroots development, declaring that “the best is yet to come” for the country.
Speaking on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he hosted governors for the breaking of an interfaith fast coinciding with Ramadan and Lent, the President said the rare convergence of both sacred periods underscores Nigeria’s shared humanity beyond religion and ethnicity.
Ramadan and Lent: A Call to Compassion
The President described the overlapping seasons of abstinence and penitence as a reminder of discipline, sacrifice, faith and resilience. Tinubu Interfaith Fast.
According to him, both Ramadan and Lent present a moral obligation for leaders to reflect on the plight of the vulnerable and design programmes that directly impact livelihoods at the grassroots.
“To reach the young man who feels forgotten. To lift the woman who carries her family on tired shoulders. Development must not recognise religion. Compassion must not recognise tribe. Opportunity must not recognise status,” he said.
He urged governors to “embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all supporters,” stressing that development must spread to local governments and rural communities.
‘We Are Out of the Woods’
President Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic trajectory, declaring that the country is “out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty.”
“The economy is showing up. Let’s help the unemployed. What I promised you will not be postponed,” he said.
In a major policy signal during the Tinubu Interfaith Fast, the President reiterated his administration’s commitment to establishing state police to strengthen security architecture nationwide.
“Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace. We will establish state police to curb insecurity. This is not about politics. It is about practicality,” he stated.
Governors Commended for Inclusive Outreach
The President singled out Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State, for extending Ramadan outreach to both Muslims and Christians, describing it as a strong demonstration of unity and compassion.
He also welcomed Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to the State House and acknowledged ongoing efforts by governors across party lines.
Referring to agricultural strides, the President praised Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, describing him as “my son, the farmer from Niger State,” and commended state-level progress across sectors.
Uzodimma: A Divinely Inspired Convergence
Speaking at the Tinubu Interfaith Fast on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma described the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent as divinely orchestrated.
“It is not often that the Muslim Ramadan fast coincides with the Lent season. The last time was 33 years ago. This convergence is a special situation created by God to remind us not to allow religious and ethnic differences to guide our thoughts and political activities,” he said.
Uzodimma commended President Tinubu for fostering unity and forging partnerships with governors amid political and socio-economic challenges.
“You have forged national partners in progress with governors. This period of fasting is a holy time that God has enjoined on us to support the less privileged,” he added.
A Renewed Push for Grassroots Development
President Tinubu maintained that reform and unity remain essential to national recovery.
“We must be bold enough to reform what is not working. We must be united enough to protect what we hold dear,” he said.
As Nigeria navigates economic reforms and security restructuring, the President’s message at the Tinubu interfaith fast gathering signals a renewed push toward inclusive governance, poverty reduction and youth empowerment.
With governors gathered across political and religious divides, the Tinubu Interfaith Fast meeting underscored a central theme: development must reach the forgotten corners of Nigeria — and it must begin now.
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