Writing by Usman Sani;Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on Hajj and Umrah administration.
This was sequel to a historic high-level engagement in Abuja between Nigerian authorities and a delegation led by the Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Welcoming the delegation, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria-NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Usman commended the Kingdom for its sustained investments in pilgrim welfare, infrastructure, safety, and service delivery.
He further acknowledged ongoing concerns relating to Umrah visa access for Nigerians, particularly issues arising from overstaying by a segment of pilgrims.
Professor Usman stressed that Nigeria was committed to working closely with Saudi authorities to address the challenge through tighter regulation of licensed operators, improved data accountability, and community-based engagement to ensure voluntary compliance and return.
He re-affirmed NAHCON’s readiness to comply with all guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, emphasizing Nigeria’s resolve to protect the integrity of Hajj and Umrah operations while safeguarding the interests of its pilgrims.
Also Speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the visit as historic.
“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,” he said.
According to him, President Tinubu holds the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia in high esteem and remains firmly committed to strengthening the long-standing and cordial relations between both countries.
The Minister noted that co-operation in Hajj and Umrah administration remains one of the strongest pillars of Nigeria–Saudi relations, rooted in faith, mutual respect, and centuries-old people-to-people ties.
He further emphasized the need for future discussions on quota expansion, given Nigeria’s demographic growth projections.
In his remarks, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s strong commitment to institutional cooperation with Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah places great importance on strengthening cooperation with our brothers in Nigeria to ensure a smooth and safe experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
He disclosed that last year, the Kingdom received approximately 89,000 Umrah performers from Nigeria, with 92 percent arriving on Umrah visas in the same year.
The Minister pointed out that about 420 flights departed via King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to support Nigerian Umrah operations.
Dr. Al-Rabi’ah expressed optimism about building on these achievements and re-affirmed readiness to work closely with Nigerian authorities in preparation for the next Hajj season, with emphasis on operational readiness, safety, service quality, and procedural efficiency.
He also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for awareness initiatives, including the “No Hajj without a permit” campaign, to safeguard pilgrims and ensure orderly operations.
Both sides agreed to sustain close coordination, strengthen regulatory compliance, and pursue practical solutions that will enhance the experience of Nigerian pilgrims while protecting the integrity of Hajj and Umrah systems.
The engagement concluded with mutual assurances of continued co-operation and shared prayers for peace, stability, and prosperity for both nations, in service of the Guests of Allah and the wider Islamic Ummah.
Rel/Usman Sani.
