The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) paid a festive season visit to President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at their residence on 26 December 2025. The delegation, led by CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stated the visit aimed to celebrate Christmas with the First Family and acknowledge the administration's governance efforts.
Commendation for Governance and Security
Speaking after the meeting, Archbishop Okoh expressed the association's encouragement regarding the government's direction. He highlighted three key areas of commendation: the administration's concern for the poor, its resolve to advance national development, and its efforts to strengthen peace and security nationwide.
"We are here to felicitate with Mr President and his wife, the mother of the nation, during this Christmas period, and to appreciate them for what they are doing for Nigerians," Okoh stated. He emphasized that the visit was also to pledge CAN's continued partnership with the Federal Government in promoting national development and cohesion.
A "Special" and Peaceful Christmas Celebration
Archbishop Okoh described the just-concluded festive season as notably reassuring. He drew a stark contrast with previous years, where Christmas celebrations were frequently disrupted by violence targeting places of worship.
"This Christmas is special," he declared. "It is the first Christmas in many years that we were not woken up in the middle of the night with phone calls reporting attacks on churches. This is a testimony we must share, and we hope and pray that this will continue." This observation was presented as a tangible indicator of improved security conditions.
Response to Challenges and Cautious Optimism
When questioned about recent tensions following comments by the United States President concerning Nigeria's security, the CAN leader affirmed that the Tinubu administration had shown responsiveness. He pointed to renewed efforts to bolster the nation's security architecture.
"The President has been responsive," Okoh said. "We are seeing renewed efforts to strengthen the security architecture and to ensure that Nigerians go out in peace and return in peace." While acknowledging that significant work remains, he expressed measured optimism about the government's trajectory.
"There is still a lot to be done, but we believe the President has started well," he concluded. "We hope and pray that these efforts will be sustained, and that by next year Nigerians will begin to see more visible results of what is being done now." The visit underscores a collaborative spirit between a major religious body and the government on issues of national security and development.
