Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their long-standing bilateral ties and commitment to improved pilgrimage administration as the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs hosted the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah in Abuja.
Welcoming the Saudi delegation, the Foreign Affairs Minister described the visit as a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship, brotherhood and cooperation between both countries, anchored on shared faith, mutual respect and strong people-to-people relations.
He conveyed the warm greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to the Prime Minister and Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, noting Nigeria’s resolve to further strengthen the cordial relations between the two brotherly nations.
The Minister highlighted that cooperation in the administration of Hajj and Umrah remains a central pillar of Nigeria–Saudi relations, reflecting a shared responsibility to protect the welfare, dignity and spiritual fulfilment of pilgrims.
He commended Saudi Arabia for the wide-ranging reforms and investments undertaken to enhance pilgrim safety, efficiency and overall experience, describing them as evidence of visionary leadership and deep commitment to the Ummah.
Addressing the meeting, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah was informed of Nigeria’s decisive steps to resolve recurring consular challenges linked to Umrah visa overstays.
The Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that the Federal Government, under President Tinubu, has approved a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Asfaar.ng as a sustainable solution to the issue.
According to him, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has already granted approval for the partnership, adding that the initiative was first discussed and endorsed during President Tinubu’s official visit to Riyadh in consultations with Saudi authorities.
He requested the Saudi Minister’s support for the initiative and invited him to inspect the facility briefly, stressing that the project would serve the mutual interests of both countries.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to close collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other relevant institutions to strengthen coordination, address operational matters and explore new areas of cooperation aimed at improving service delivery and pilgrimage management for Nigerian pilgrims.
Both sides expressed confidence that the engagement would yield practical outcomes and further consolidate the excellent relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
