Historic Abuja Visit: Saudi Hajj Minister Deepens Nigeria Partnership Ahead of 2026 Pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, has paid a landmark visit to Abuja, reinforcing bilateral cooperation with Nigeria as both countries intensify preparations for the 1447 Hijri (2026) Hajj exercise.
Dr. Al-Rabiah arrived in Nigeria’s capital on February 3, 2026, in what officials described as a historic engagement aimed at strengthening institutional coordination and enhancing the pilgrimage experience for thousands of Nigerian pilgrims expected to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The visit highlighted the mutual commitment of both nations to ensuring a safe, orderly, and seamless pilgrimage through strict regulatory compliance and improved service delivery systems.
During high-level discussions with Nigerian authorities, the Saudi minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s readiness to collaborate closely with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure efficient operations for the upcoming pilgrimage season. He identified operational efficiency, enhanced service delivery, and pilgrim safety as key priorities for the 2026 Hajj.
A major focus of the engagement was the reinforcement of Saudi Arabia’s “No Hajj Without a Permit” campaign. Dr. Al-Rabiah stressed the Kingdom’s determination to enforce Hajj regulations strictly, warning that individuals travelling with visas other than official Hajj permits would not be allowed to participate in the pilgrimage. He further pledged Saudi Arabia’s support for awareness campaigns designed to educate intending pilgrims on compliance with established guidelines.
In preparation for the pilgrimage, NAHCON disclosed that it has already secured accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims in both Makkah and Madinah, completing the process ahead of Saudi-mandated deadlines — a development expected to enhance logistical planning and comfort for pilgrims.
The Saudi minister also highlighted newly established health protocols requiring intending pilgrims to undergo medical screening at designated hospitals across Nigeria. The initiative is aimed at improving health monitoring and ensuring smooth medical support for pilgrims upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Emphasizing the strong religious and economic ties between the two countries, Dr. Al-Rabiah revealed that about 89,000 Nigerians performed Umrah in 2025. He noted that 92 percent of the pilgrims travelled using official Umrah visas, supported by 420 direct flights through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, demonstrating growing cooperation and travel efficiency between both nations.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, described the visit as a significant diplomatic milestone, noting that it marked the first time a Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah had visited Nigeria for such high-level coordination. He expressed optimism that the strengthened partnership would resolve longstanding consular challenges and help deliver a successful 2026 Hajj exercise.
In his remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON assured the Saudi minister of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure improved services and a smooth pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims.
The visit is widely viewed as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria-Saudi Arabia relations while setting the stage for what stakeholders hope will be one of the most efficient and well-coordinated Hajj operations for Nigerian pilgrims in recent years.