…2026 Easter Message
As we celebrate the joy and victory of Easter, we are reminded that light always triumphs over darkness, just as life conquers death. The Resurrection of Christ is not merely a past event; it is a living assurance that God’s power is still at work, even in the most difficult times.
Yet, even as we proclaim this hope, we cannot ignore the reality before us. The Resurrection is inseparable from the suffering of Good Friday, and sadly, Nigeria today bears too many marks of that suffering.
Across the nation, families are weighed down by economic hardship and uncertainty. Many young people have lost hope of meaningful employment. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods, while corruption, injustice, and deepening ethnic and religious divisions erode our collective dignity. These are not distant issues; they are daily realities shaping the lives of millions.
In recent weeks, our hearts have been deeply wounded by renewed violence in places such as Jos, and parts of Kaduna and Taraba States. Innocent men, women, and children have been killed in brutal attacks that expose a troubling persistence of terror and lawlessness. Entire communities have been devastated in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara. Churches have been burned, clerics kidnapped, and even Muslims attacked while at prayer.
These are not rumours; they are documented realities.
As a Church, we mourn with the bereaved and stand in solidarity with all who suffer. But beyond mourning, we must call for decisive and just action to protect lives and restore the sanctity of human life. A government that responds only after blood has been shed cannot be said to be fully meeting its responsibility. Prevention must take precedence over reaction.
Yet, even in the face of these painful realities, Easter speaks a message of hope. The stone that sealed Christ’s tomb was rolled away by divine power. In the same way, we must not surrender to despair. Our hope must be active—expressed through courage, integrity, and a commitment to righteousness.
I urge all Nigerians to reject corruption in all its forms and to become agents of peace within their communities. We must resist the temptation to respond to hatred with hatred. Let us uplift the poor, defend the marginalized, and stand for truth—even when it is inconvenient. Faith must be visible not only in worship but in action.
As we approach the 2027 elections, this Easter season calls for a renewed sense of civic responsibility. Democracy thrives not merely on institutions, but on the moral character of its people. Nigerians must not sell their conscience for temporary gain or be swayed by empty promises and divisive rhetoric. Instead, we must support leaders who demonstrate integrity, competence, and a genuine commitment to the common good.
To those in positions of authority, I offer this reminder: leadership is a sacred trust. Power is given for service, not self-enrichment. The cries of the poor and the suffering are not hidden from God.
Our nation must also confront the urgent need for religious tolerance. Christians and Muslims must move beyond tendencies toward dominance and superiority, and instead embrace mutual respect. Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. Christianity and Islam have coexisted here for generations—even in difficult times—and there is no justification for violence in the name of faith.
We must also be honest: some non-state actors are driven by a dangerous desire for control over land, power, and resources. These forces thrive on division and violence. Combating them requires not only military action, but intelligence, coordination, and strategic support. It is not enough to condemn violence; we must dismantle the systems that sustain it.
In this regard, I have previously called for meaningful international cooperation—not in the form of reckless force, but through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and targeted interventions to weaken the networks of terror. Both Christians and Muslims are victims of these attacks, and any response must reflect our shared humanity.
READ ALSO: Easter: Adeleke, Fadahunsi, Osun APC Celebrate Season With Christians
As Aung San Suu Kyi once said, “We will get to our destination if we join hands.” This truth remains relevant for Nigeria today.
We are one people—Fulani, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Jukun, Kuteb, and many others—bound by a shared destiny. Violence, ethnic cleansing, and exclusion cannot build a nation. Only unity, justice, and mutual respect can.
My dear brothers and sisters, Easter assures us that no suffering is wasted when entrusted to God. Even in our trials, seeds of renewal are being sown. Let us cling to Christ, who is our peace and our hope.
May the Risen Lord bless Nigeria and guide us from despair to hope, from division to unity, and from hardship to lasting peace. May all forces that threaten our coexistence be overcome, and may we find the courage to build a nation rooted in justice and compassion.
Easter calls us to transformation. Let each of us begin with a renewed heart, spreading peace in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
I wish you and your loved ones a blessed and joyful Easter.
Ignatius Ayau Kaigama
Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese