Raphael Oni
Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the administration of Hajj and Umrah.
Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabbiah, and his delegation to Abuja, highlighting the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
Tuggar conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to further strengthening relations.
The Minister noted Nigeria’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance pilgrim safety and experience, citing reforms and investments in Hajj and Umrah services.
Tuggar also briefed the Saudi Minister on Nigeria’s initiatives to address consular challenges, including a strategic partnership with a digital platform to tackle visa overstays.
The meeting aimed to consolidate cooperation, address operational matters, and explore new areas of collaboration, with both nations expressing confidence in a productive and forward-looking engagement.
The Saudi Minister is expected to inspect a facility designed to serve mutual interests, with Nigeria seeking support for its implementation. This development underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia, prioritizing pilgrim welfare and dignity.
Nigeria ranks fifth globally in terms of Hajj attendance, with a quota of 95,000 pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj season. This puts Nigeria behind Indonesia (221,000), Pakistan (180,000), India (175,025), and Bangladesh.
In 2025, Nigeria had a significant number of pilgrims participate in the Hajj, although the exact figure isn’t readily available. However, it’s worth noting that the overall Hajj attendance in 2025 was lower than expected, with around 1.67 million pilgrims, marking the lowest turnout in 30 years excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period.
