The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has debunked widespread online reports claiming that Saudi Arabia has imposed an entry ban on Nigerian travelers beginning April 13, 2025.
In an official statement released by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the ministry firmly denied the allegations, describing the claims as “false and misleading.”
According to the ministry, Saudi authorities have also dismissed the contents of the memo making rounds on social media, which wrongly suggested that countries like Nigeria, Egypt, India, and Pakistan were facing visa.
The Saudi Tourism Centre clarified that the only travel advisory currently in effect concerns the upcoming Hajj season. Specifically, tourist visa holders are not permitted to enter or remain in Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025 — the duration of the annual pilgrimage.
The ministry emphasized that this is a routine restriction in line with established Hajj protocols. Only those granted Hajj visas will be allowed entry into Makkah during the designated period.
Nigerians planning to travel to Saudi Arabia are therefore advised to ignore the viral document and rely solely on credible sources for travel information, including the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official Saudi channels.
The ministry warned that sharing unverified claims can cause confusion and unnecessary panic among travelers, urging the public to exercise caution and verify any travel-related news before acting.
