President Bola Tinubu has concluded his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing gratitude to the Saudi leadership for granting him and members of his delegation the rare privilege of entering the Holy Kaaba in Makkah to offer prayers.
The President also disclosed that he performed the lesser Hajj (Umrah) during the visit, using the spiritual opportunity to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and prosperity.
Tinubu made this known on Monday in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, following the conclusion of his visit to the Gulf kingdom.
He described the opportunity to enter Islam’s most sacred shrine and perform the Umrah pilgrimage as a deeply cherished experience, particularly given the opportunity it afforded him to seek divine blessings for Nigeria and its people.
The President expressed profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for extending the rare privilege to him and members of his delegation.
He also acknowledged the hospitality and brotherly care extended to the Nigerian delegation by the Saudi authorities throughout the visit.
According to Tinubu, the gesture reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
“It reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia,” the President stated.
Reaffirming his commitment to the country’s progress and the welfare of its citizens, Tinubu said his prayers during the sacred moments were devoted to securing lasting peace, national unity and prosperity for Nigeria.
“In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians,” he said.
The visit further highlighted the longstanding diplomatic, cultural and religious relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, anchored on shared Islamic heritage, mutual respect and cooperation in areas of common interest.
Saudi Arabia remains an important partner to Nigeria, particularly in trade, investment and religious affairs, as well as a major destination for thousands of Nigerian Muslims undertaking the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
The President’s visit also provided an opportunity to reinforce the longstanding relationship between the two countries and acknowledge the importance of continued engagement in advancing their shared interests.