The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its sustained commitment to improving Hajj and Umrah services, describing the Nigeria–Saudi partnership as vital to the welfare of pilgrims.
Speaking during a historic gathering in Abuja to mark the visit of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Professor Saleh Usman praised the Kingdom’s leadership for its tireless efforts in serving the Guests of Allah through massive projects and innovative initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030.
He said the reforms have significantly enhanced security, comfort, and efficiency in pilgrimage operations.
The NAHCON Chairman noted that cooperation and coordination between Saudi authorities and international Hajj missions, including Nigeria, provide a model for ensuring the safety and dignity of pilgrims.
He also acknowledged concerns over Nigerian Umrah overstayers in Saudi Arabia, describing the situation as worrisome but solvable through sustained cooperation.
According to him, stricter compliance by tour operators under the supervision of the Nigerian Hajj mission, as well as the engagement of Nigerian religious leaders and community representatives in Saudi Arabia, would help address the challenge and ease visa access for Nigerian pilgrims.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the visit as historic, noting that it was the first time a Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah had officially visited Nigeria.
Tuggar said the visit reflects the enduring bonds of friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He conveyed the warm greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He emphasized that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia share deep religious and people-to-people ties, with cooperation in Hajj and Umrah administration remaining a key pillar of the bilateral relationship.
Tuggar also disclosed that Nigeria has taken decisive steps to address consular challenges related to Umrah visa overstays, revealing that the Infrastructure Concessioning and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has approved an end-to-end strategic solution to the issue.
In his remarks, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation with Nigeria in serving the Guests of Allah.
He disclosed that in 2025, Saudi Arabia received about 89,000 Umrah pilgrims from Nigeria, with 92 percent arriving on Umrah visas.
The minister added that approximately 420 direct flights from Nigeria arrived through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah during the same period and expressed optimism that continued collaboration would further improve preparations for the 1447 Hijri Hajj season.