President Tinubu, in Christmas Message, Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Freedom and National Security

President Tinubu, in Christmas Message, Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Freedom and National Security

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his 2025 Christmas Day goodwill address, issued a firm recommitment to protecting religious freedom and ensuring national security, framing these pledges as essential to Nigeria’s unity and progress.

The President’s message, delivered to mark the global Christian celebration, directly addressed persistent concerns over interfaith tensions and violence.

He vowed to shield all citizens from faith-based persecution.

“As your President, I remain committed to doing everything within my power to enshrine religious freedom in Nigeria and to protect all people of different faiths from violence. No one, regardless of ethnicity or belief, should be made to suffer for professing and practising his faith”, Tinubu stated.

Linking this promise to his administration’s core mandate, the President reassured Nigerians of his “unyielding commitment to safeguarding the security, unity, and stability of our nation.”

He affirmed that all Nigerians possess the constitutional right “to live, worship, and pursue their aspirations in safety and dignity.”

The address acknowledged ongoing dialogues with religious leaders. Tinubu noted that throughout the year, he had engaged with prominent leaders from the country’s two major faiths to address “concerns about religious intolerance and insecurity.”

He pledged to strengthen government collaboration with religious institutions to “prevent conflict and promote peaceful coexistence.”

Beyond security and governance, the speech honored the societal role of the Christian community, praising followers of Christ for their contributions to national development and for caring for “the vulnerable and less privileged.”

Tinubu called on the entire nation to allow the “shared values” of love for God and humanity to bind the country together as “one indivisible and resilient people.”

With festive travel at its peak, the President also urged citizens to exercise patience and discipline on the roads, wishing all travellers safe journeys.

The message concluded on a forward-looking note, with Tinubu expressing confidence “in divine providence and our collective strength” to build a greater Nigeria for future generations.