Abuja — Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the administration of Hajj and Umrah, following a historic high-level engagement held in Abuja.
The reaffirmation was disclosed in a statement by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant (Media) in the Office of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman.
According to the statement, the commitment was expressed during talks between Nigerian authorities and a Saudi delegation led by the Kingdom’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Usman described the visit as a landmark in Nigeria–Saudi relations and a strong signal of the Kingdom’s continued partnership with Nigeria in serving the “Guests of Allah.” He commended Saudi Arabia’s sustained investments in pilgrim welfare, infrastructure, safety, and service delivery.
Usman said Saudi Vision 2030 had significantly improved the efficiency and quality of Hajj and Umrah operations globally. He also acknowledged challenges related to Umrah visa access for Nigerians, particularly overstaying by a segment of pilgrims.
He said Nigeria was working with Saudi authorities to address the issue through stricter regulation of licensed operators, improved data accountability, and community-based sensitisation to ensure compliance and timely return.
Usman reaffirmed NAHCON’s readiness to comply fully with all guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, stressing Nigeria’s resolve to protect the integrity of Hajj and Umrah operations while safeguarding pilgrims’ interests.
Speaking at the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first time a Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah was visiting Nigeria.
“This is the first time ever that a Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is visiting Nigeria. It is history in the making,” Tuggar said.
He conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Tinubu to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
Tuggar said cooperation in Hajj and Umrah administration remains a key pillar of Nigeria–Saudi relations, rooted in faith, mutual respect, and long-standing people-to-people ties. He also called for future discussions on quota expansion in view of Nigeria’s growing population.
In his remarks, Al-Rabiah reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to institutional cooperation with Nigeria, aimed at ensuring a safe and seamless experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
He disclosed that about 89,000 Nigerians performed Umrah in 2025, with 92 per cent arriving on Umrah visas, supported by approximately 420 flights through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
Al-Rabiah expressed optimism about preparations for the 1447 Hijri Hajj season, with emphasis on operational readiness, safety, service quality, and procedural efficiency.
“Insha Allah, Hajj 2026 will be the best ever,” he said.
Both sides agreed to sustain close coordination, strengthen regulatory compliance, and pursue practical solutions to enhance the experience of Nigerian pilgrims while preserving the integrity of Hajj and Umrah systems.
