Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Bilateral Relations With Saudi Arabia as Kingdom Celebrates 96th National Day

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom celebrates its 96th National Day.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in Abuja at a reception marking the occasion, noting that the relationship between both nations is expanding beyond traditional ties.

“Today, our relationship is also taking on a broader economic and strategic dimension,” Idris said, highlighting opportunities for deeper cooperation in agriculture, energy, investment, aviation, financial technology and trade.

He described the longstanding relationship as one built on history, faith, and people-to-people connections, noting that Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, education, and business for generations.

The Minister also said Nigeria could draw lessons from Saudi Arabia’s development experience as the Federal Government implements economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We welcome Saudi investors and businesses that are interested in Nigeria,” he said, citing considerable room for cooperation in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, mining, and technology.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, called for a deepened strategic partnership between both nations during a separate dinner in Abuja commemorating the 96th National Day.

“Good diplomacy opens doors, but purposeful parliamentary engagement builds bridges that can carry nations towards shared prosperity,” Abbas stated, underscoring the deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties shared by both countries.

The Speaker proposed the establishment of a formal annual dialogue between the Nigerian National Assembly and the Saudi Shura Council, backed by reciprocal committee visits and a joint work plan focusing on investment, education, and aviation.

He also called on the Kingdom to review its visa policies to extend smoother access to eligible Nigerian investors, academics, and business travelers.

Abbas welcomed the proposed direct Jeddah-Abuja flight service slated for December 1, 2026, while advocating for expanded routes to Lagos and strengthened cargo linkages.

Earlier in the year, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia had reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on Hajj and Umrah administration during a historic high-level meeting in Abuja led by the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described that visit as historic, marking the first time a Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah had visited Nigeria.

“This is the first time ever that a Minister of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is visiting Nigeria,” Tuggar said at the time. “It is history in the making.”

Tuggar noted that cooperation 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.

The Saudi National Day commemorates the unification of the Kingdom by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, with the modern state officially named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on September 23, 1932.

This year’s celebration is held under the theme “Our Pride Through Our Nature,” reflecting the Kingdom’s ongoing progress under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.