NIGERIA, SAUDI ARABIA DEEPEN COOPERATION ON HAJJ AND UMRAH ADMINISTRATION

Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have restated their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the administration and management of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

The commitment was reaffirmed in Abuja during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabbiah, who was in the country with a delegation.

Ambassador Tuggar welcomed the Saudi delegation and described the relationship between both countries as longstanding and mutually beneficial.

He conveyed the goodwill message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, stressing Nigeria’s readiness to further deepen diplomatic and religious cooperation.

The Minister praised Saudi Arabia for ongoing reforms and heavy investments aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and the overall experience of pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah.

He said Nigeria appreciates the Kingdom’s efforts to modernise pilgrimage operations and enhance welfare services for pilgrims.

Tuggar also informed the Saudi Minister of Nigeria’s initiatives to address consular and operational challenges affecting pilgrims, including a strategic partnership with a digital platform to curb visa overstays and improve compliance with Saudi regulations.

According to him, the meeting focused on consolidating existing areas of cooperation, resolving operational issues, and exploring new avenues of collaboration in pilgrimage administration.

Both sides expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen coordination and yield sustainable outcomes.

As part of the visit, Dr. Al-Rabbiah is expected to inspect a facility proposed to serve the shared interests of both countries, with Nigeria seeking Saudi Arabia’s support for its implementation.

The initiative, Tuggar said, aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the welfare, dignity, and comfort of its pilgrims.Nigeria remains one of the largest contributors to the annual Hajj pilgrimage globally.

The country ranks fifth worldwide, with a quota of 95,000 pilgrims allocated for the 2024 Hajj season, behind Indonesia, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.

While the exact number of Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj has not been officially disclosed, global Hajj attendance that year stood at approximately 1.67 million pilgrims.

This figure represents the lowest turnout in three decades, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period.

The renewed engagement underscores the shared resolve of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to strengthen diplomatic ties and enhance cooperation in areas of religious, cultural, and strategic importance.