Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have strengthened bilateral cooperation on Hajj and Umrah administration following a high-level meeting in Abuja between Nigerian authorities and a delegation led by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah.
Speaking at the engagement, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, described the visit as historic and a major milestone in Nigeria–Saudi relations.
He praised the Kingdom’s sustained investments in pilgrim welfare, safety, infrastructure, and service delivery, noting that Saudi Vision 2030 has significantly improved global Hajj and Umrah operations.
Meanwhile, Professor Usman acknowledged concerns surrounding Umrah visa access for Nigerians, particularly issues linked to overstaying. He assured that Nigeria is strengthening regulation of licensed operators, improving data accountability, and engaging communities to ensure compliance.
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He further reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to fully comply with all guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to protect the integrity of pilgrimage operations and safeguard Nigerian pilgrims.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the visit as unprecedented, noting that it marked the first time a Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah officially visited Nigeria.
He conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s goodwill to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening long-standing diplomatic and religious ties.
According to Tuggar, Hajj and Umrah cooperation remains a central pillar of Nigeria–Saudi relations, rooted in faith, shared history, and people-to-people connections. He also called for future discussions on expanding Nigeria’s pilgrimage quota to reflect the country’s growing population.
In response, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to institutional collaboration with Nigeria.
He disclosed that about 89,000 Nigerian pilgrims performed Umrah in 2025, with over 92 percent entering Saudi Arabia through Umrah visas. He added that more than 420 flights were operated through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to support Nigerian pilgrims.
Dr. Al-Rabiah expressed optimism ahead of preparations for the 1447 Hijri Hajj season, assuring that Saudi authorities will prioritise safety, service quality, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
He also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for awareness campaigns, including the “No Hajj Without a Permit” initiative, aimed at ensuring orderly pilgrimage operations.
Both countries agreed to maintain close coordination, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and implement practical reforms to improve the overall pilgrimage experience for Nigerian Muslims.
The meeting ended with mutual commitments to sustained cooperation and shared prayers for peace and prosperity across both nations and the wider Islamic Ummah.
