President Bola Tinubu has concluded his five-day visit to Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah in Makkah, where he offered prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity.
The President announced the end of the visit on Monday in a post on his verified X account where he expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for granting him and members of his delegation the opportunity to enter the Holy Kaaba, one of Islam’s most sacred sites.
Tinubu wrote: “I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah.
“I am deeply grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud @KingSalman, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for extending this privilege to us, and for their gracious hospitality and brotherly care.
“It reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
“In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians.”
Umrah, often referred to as the lesser Hajj, is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that can be performed at any time of the year. Unlike the annual Hajj, it does not have fixed dates, although it involves important religious rites, including circumambulating the Kaaba and walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
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Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia last Thursday night through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the kingdom’s Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir, received him at the airport.
His visit centred on the religious exercise in Makkah, where he performed Umrah and offered prayers for Nigeria and its citizens. The President also acknowledged the hospitality extended to his delegation by the Saudi authorities, particularly King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The visit provided another opportunity for Tinubu to highlight the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, which he linked to shared religious ties and friendship between the two countries.
His reference to entering the Holy Kaaba also drew attention to the rare privilege granted to him and members of his delegation. Access to the interior of the structure is highly restricted, making such visits exceptional even for prominent international visitors.
Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria this week following the completion of his pilgrimage. His Monday announcement did not provide a specific date or time for his return.
The President’s prayers for peace, unity and prosperity come as Nigeria continues to face economic pressures, security challenges and political tensions ahead of the 2027 general election.
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