As Christians worldwide mark Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2026, the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a strong call to Nigeria’s political, traditional and religious leaders to pause, reflect deeply and take urgent steps to redirect the country toward justice, equity, peace and sustainable progress.
In a special Ash Wednesday message signed by CAN President, Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh, the umbrella body for all major Christian denominations in Nigeria described the current state of the nation as one of “deep pain, uncertainty and widespread hardship,” urging leaders across all levels to use the solemn period of Lent for genuine introspection and renewed commitment to the common good.
“Ash Wednesday is a day of humility, repentance and renewal. We call on our political leaders from the presidency to state governors, National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen and traditional rulers to pause from the usual noise of politics and reflect honestly: Where are we taking Nigeria? Are we building a nation our children will be proud of, or are we leaving them a legacy of division, poverty and insecurity?”
“The hunger in the land, the rising cost of living, the insecurity that has turned many communities into ghost towns, the youth unemployment crisis, the erosion of trust in institutions these are not normal. They are symptoms of leadership choices that must be re-examined. Lent is the perfect time for every leader to ask: Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?”
“We urge our leaders to seek a new direction one rooted in justice, compassion, transparency and fear of God. Nigerians are not asking for miracles overnight, but for leaders who fear God more than they fear losing power, who love the people more than they love personal gain, and who are willing to sacrifice comfort for the greater good.”
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“To our Christian faithful: Let this Lenten season be a time of intensified prayer for our leaders, our nation and especially for the vulnerable the poor, the widows, the orphans, the displaced and the hopeless.”
CAN also prayed for divine wisdom for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, lawmakers and all in authority, asking God to grant them the courage to make difficult but necessary decisions for the healing and rebuilding of Nigeria.
The message has resonated widely on social media, with many Nigerians describing it as “timely and courageous” amid growing economic hardship, insecurity and political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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