Historic first: Saudi Hajj Minister visits Nigeria!
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Hajj and Umrah cooperation during a historic high-level meeting in Abuja. The engagement saw the first-ever visit by a Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister to Nigeria, marking a milestone in bilateral relations.
The discussions focused on pilgrim welfare, visa access, quota expansion, and operational efficiency, with both countries pledging tighter regulation, improved data accountability, and community engagement to ensure safe, orderly, and compliant pilgrimages.
In 2025, about 89,000 Nigerians performed Umrah, with 92% arriving on official visas, supported by 420 flights from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah. Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safety, service quality, and smooth Hajj operations for Nigerians in 2026.
Nigeria’s NAHCON and Saudi authorities agreed to sustain close coordination, safeguard the integrity of operations, and continue joint efforts to make future pilgrimages seamless and secure.
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