President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir to strengthen the values of tolerance, generosity, and peaceful coexistence, stressing that national unity must rise above ethnic and religious divisions.

Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to embrace national unity, peaceful coexistence, and collective sacrifice as the country pursues renewal and sustainable development under the Tinubu-led administration.

He called on all political leaders and citizens to approach the 2027 electoral season with maturity, tolerance, and a strong sense of national responsibility, warning against divisive rhetoric that could threaten the nation’s peace and stability.

On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) appealed to Nigerians not to allow hardship and frustration to deepen religious, ethnic or regional divisions, warning that in times like these, division only deepens the nation’s wounds.

Meanwhile, the Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Abdul-Azeez Onike, urged the government to ensure that reports of economic improvement translate into food on Nigerians’ tables and money in their pockets.

Tinubuobserved the Eid congregational prayers at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, yesterday, where he joined other Muslim faithful to mark the festival of sacrifice.

Dignitaries who attended the prayers included Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; former governor, Babatunde Fashola; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the President, Eid-el-Kabir remains a profound reminder of obedience, sacrifice, love for humanity and total submission to the will of God, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

“We thank Almighty Allah for making us witness another Eid-el-Kabir. We thank Him for His mercy, and we must learn from this season’s lessons by showing love to one another. There should be no discrimination, no ethnicity and no hatred. We should share love and be generous to one another in a manner that reflects the values of our country and humanity,” the President said.

He further urged Nigerians to remain tolerant and law-abiding, noting that respect for the rule of law is essential for national peace and stability.

Calling on citizens to support the less privileged and uphold the sanctity of human life, he warned that “criminality and violence have no place in any religion”.

In his sermon, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Abou-Nolla, urged Muslims to fear God and embrace unity, sacrifice and generosity in line with Islamic teachings.

VICE President Shettima said the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir remain critical to Nigeria’s pursuit of stability, peace and inclusive growth.

In his Eid-el-Kabir 2026 message, Shettima called on citizens to draw inspiration from the enduring values of faith, sacrifice, obedience and compassion exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

“This is a period of sober reflection and a season of reaching out to the indigent among us, while building bridges of brotherhood and sisterhood.”

“What binds us together far outweighs whatever divides us. As a nation, we must continue to strengthen the spirit of unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence for our collective progress and prosperity,” he said.

He also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government, alongside sub-national administrations, “is taking deliberate steps” to cushion the effect of economic challenges on citizens.

While addressing journalists after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Ramat Square Eid Ground in Maiduguri, Borno State, the Vice President said the Tinubu administration “remains committed to reducing the economic pressures facing Nigerians through ongoing reforms and targeted interventions.

“Governments at all levels are poised to ameliorate the sufferings of the Nigerian people,” he said.

CAN also called on religious leaders across all faiths to continue promoting peace, truth, moderation and reconciliation.

In his Eid-el-Kabir message yesterday in Abuja, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, observed that, at a time when anger and frustration were rising in many communities, the voices of faith must help calm tensions, restore hope, and remind Nigerians that “our humanity is greater than our differences”.

Okoh urged leaders across government, politics, business, security institutions and religious organisations to put aside indifference, blame-shifting and narrow interests, and focus on the urgent task of restoring public confidence and easing the hardship facing millions of Nigerians.

According to the CAN President, Nigerians need hope they can see, not promises they no longer believe.

He said: “This season must, therefore, serve as a moral call to conscience for all those entrusted with authority. Public trust cannot be rebuilt through speeches alone. Citizens want to see leadership that listens, leadership that acts and leadership that is willing to share in the sacrifices ordinary people make every day.

“Today, many Nigerians no longer measure hardship in statistics but in skipped meals, unpaid school fees, shuttered businesses and sleepless nights. Families are struggling to survive rising living costs.

“Farmers are abandoning their lands out of fear. Small businesses are collapsing under economic pressure. Young people are increasingly uncertain about their future, while insecurity continues to cast a shadow over many communities.”

Okoh noted Eid-el-Kabir as a solemn reminder of faith,obedience, sacrifice and devotion to God, stressing that beyond the celebration, “it speaks directly to the condition of our nation at a difficult and ONIKE, in his Eid-el-Kabir message, enjoined Nigerians to remain optimistic and supportive of government’s efforts aimed at revamping the economy.

Citing Qur’an 39:53: which states, “Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful,” Onike admonished Nigerians to take solace in the belief that God (SWT) loves Nigeria and Nigerians.

He added the Almighty would soon remove them from the shackles of poverty by blessing the government’s efforts.

The cleric charged Nigerians to be guided by God and prayed Allah (SWT) to guide President Tinubu and his government to succeed, especially at this trying period.