Christmas messages: Tinubu, govs preach unity, NLC rejects unfair taxation

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: Statehouse

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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 killings.”

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.

“We must insist on social justice where all citizens have access to dignity, good healthcare, and quality education; greater equity for workers where labour is justly rewarded and rights are respected; and, in fact, a safe and secure nation where lives and properties are guaranteed, and the people move about their businesses without fear or intimidation,” the statement said.

The Congress reminded workers of the power inherent in their numbers and solidarity, stressing that mobilisation is essential to resist policies that cause suffering. “It neither pays us nor protects us when we allow them to use us to call ourselves names in order to continue dividing us so that we cannot speak with one voice and stop the exploitation. Let this festive period be a time of re-dedication to this cause. It is a time to organise more, beginning from wherever we are in our communities and in our various locations,” Ajaero said.

The union urged Nigerians to enter 2026 with renewed commitment to unity, organisation, and collective action.

“May the hope of Christmas inspire us. May the promise of a New Year energise our resolve. Let us move into 2026 with a renewed commitment to unity, organisation, and collective action. Together, we will build the Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.

Atiku, others

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar counselled Nigerians to use the Christmas season as an opportunity for healing, forgiveness, and the promotion of national unity, urging citizens to rise above divisions and embrace one another in love.

In a Christmas message released by his Media Office in Abuja on Wednesday, Atiku said Christmas reminds Nigerians of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and compassion, values the nation urgently needs.

“Christmas calls us to rise above division and embrace one another in love. It is a season that invites us to heal old wounds, to forgive, and to recommit ourselves to the unity and common destiny of our nation,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President encouraged Nigerians to use the season for reflection and prayer, asking for divine guidance for peace, justice, and renewed hope for the nation.

He also urged citizens to renew their faith in God and to embody the love and generosity of Christmas in their daily interactions, especially with neighbours and communities.

“As we celebrate this sacred season, let us extend hands of fellowship to one another and live as one people, regardless of our differences. Let us trust God for a better tomorrow and work, in unity and conscience, for a greater Nigeria,” he added.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the festive period, with deployments across worship centres, highways and public spaces.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding.

Former presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, asked Nigerians to embrace love, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, urging citizens to reflect on the values of sacrifice and selflessness exemplified by Jesus Christ.

Former House of Representatives member and ex–Rivers governorship aspirant, Dr Farah Dagogo, urged Christians to emulate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as a pathway to national renewal and unity.

Dagogo encouraged Nigerians not to lose faith despite socio-economic challenges, calling for prayers for the nation and compassion towards the needy. He also urged prayers for leaders at all levels to govern with wisdom and integrity.

The Anglican Bishop of Lagos, Rt. Revd. Ifedola Okupevi, advised Nigerians to embrace hope and courage despite economic and security challenges, describing Christmas as a reminder of God’s abiding presence.

He called on leaders to govern with integrity and citizens to remain committed to acts of kindness and service.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, urged Christians to embody love, sincerity and patriotism, describing these virtues as essential for good governance and national healing.

He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and prayed for guidance and integrity in governance.

Nigerians lament

Despite widespread reports of falling food prices across Nigeria this festive season, many residents say they still lack the money to take full advantage of the relief, leaving Christmas celebrations modest for millions of households. From Sokoto to Edo, families are feeling the pinch, even as staples like rice, beans, garri, and vegetables sell for far less than last year in some states.

In Sokoto, improved harvests driven by heavy rainfall have boosted supply, but high production costs and insecurity contine to keep food largely out of reach.

Monsur Abdulraheem, farm manager at Attahiru Farms, noted that unprecedented rainfall over the last two years translated into bumper harvests for both subsistence and large-scale farmers. Yet he added, “Rising costs of fertiliser, chemicals, labour and transportation have pushed up the final prices of farm produce.”

Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, a rice farmer from Goronyo Local Government Area, recounted abandoning his farms after repeated bandit attacks.

Market surveys across major markets in the state show a 50kg bag of foreign parboiled riuce currently sells for between N55,000 and N57,000, depending on brand, while a 100kg bag of locally processed Grade A rice costs about N92,000.

Other staples also remain pricey. A bag of millet sells for about N35,000, the same price as maize, while a single tuber of yam goes for as high as N2,000.

For many families, these prices mean Christmas is different this year. While some residents admit food is slightly more available than last year due to improved harvests, they say affordability remains a challenge, forcing households to cut portions, switch to cheaper meals or scale down celebrations altogether.

Compared to last Christmas, fewer families can afford the same festive spreads, residents say, suggesting that despite improved production, the much-touted crash in food prices has yet to meaningfully reach dinner tables in Sokoto this season.

Adamawa State, by contrast, has seen a sharp crash in food prices, with reductions of over 85 percent in some markets. A 100kg bag of beans, which sold for N75,000–N85,000 last year, now costs N25,000 – N30,000 depending on variety. Rice has fallen to N50,000 – N55,000 per 50kg, while a basket of tomatoes dropped from N35,000 to N10,000.

While buyers celebrate, sellers lament huge losses. “President Bola Tinubu has killed us local farmers,” said Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a tomatoes and onions seller.

“I collected a bank loan to farm, but now I may have to sell my only house to repay it.”

In Taraba, residents are cautiously optimistic. At Mile Six Market in Jalingo, Mrs. Grace Danjuma said staples were more affordable.

“A bag of maize that sold higher last year is now around N20,000, while a 50kg bag of rice goes for N40,000–N50,000. Vegetables are also cheaper because supply is better,” she said. Livestock prices have also eased, making protein more accessible for families. Civil servant Markus Ternenge noted, “Last year was very tough. This time, with rice and chicken more affordable, we can manage a decent Christmas meal.”

Bauchi residents on the outskirts of the metropolis reported relief as well. Juliette Daniel of Rafin Zurfi community said, “This year, food prices are lower compared to last season. We can even buy our food and share with our neighbours. By the grace of God, we’ll wear new clothes and celebrate modestly.” Others, however, stressed that limited incomes continue to constrain celebrations despite price drops.

In Gombe, a 50kg bag of foreign rice fell from over N100,000 last year to about N59,000 this Christmas. Beans and maize also reduced significantly. “Yes, food is cheaper, but money is still scarce,” said trader Maryam Sadiq. Residents report celebrating with smaller meals and forgoing extras like drinks and large gatherings.

Benue State saw reductions of 30 – 40 per cent for staples. Madam Benson, a primary school teacher in Makurdi, said, “A 25kg bag of local rice is now N21,000 against N41,000 last year. A basin of garri fell from N35,000 to N13,000, and the price of fowl dropped from N25,000–N30,000 to N13,000.” Families are grateful for the relief, yet expenses like school fees continue to limit celebrations.

Edo residents also reported noticeable reductions.

Niyi Kupoluyi, a resident of Benin City, the state capital, said, “A rubber container of garri that costs N4,000 is now N1,500, and a bag of rice dropped from over N100,000 last year to around N45,000. People can afford better meals this Christmas.”

Shoppers like Gloria added that staples such as rice, beans, and pepper were now more accessible even with limited cash.

Abia presents a more mixed picture. Investigations in Umuahia and Aba show that only rice, beans, and garri have seen price reductions, while onions, potatoes, fresh pepper, tomatoes, chicken, fish, and other items remain expensive due to seasonality, production, and transport costs.

A civil servant, Bright Uche, said, “If not for the prompt payment of salaries and 13th month by Governor Alex Otti, we would have eaten sand. Still, the Xmas looks bleak as some food items are not affordable.”

Across Nigeria, the picture is clear: while food prices have dropped in many regions, the relief is tempered by limited incomes, rising production costs, and insecurity in some areas. Nigerians are celebrating Christmas with cautious optimism, grateful for cheaper staples but mindful of the financial pressures that continue to shape daily life.

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