President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening, October 29, 2026, to perform Umrah, also known as the lesser Hajj, in the holy city of Makkah, with the Presidency stating that the visit will provide an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.
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The President landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Saudi Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.
Tinubu is expected to proceed to Makkah to undertake the religious rites associated with Umrah, a pilgrimage that Muslims can perform at any time of the year, unlike the annual Hajj, which takes place during a specific period in the Islamic calendar.
The Presidency had announced the visit on Wednesday, October 28, through a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to Onanuga, the religious journey will allow Tinubu to devote time to prayers and seek divine guidance in the discharge of his responsibilities as Nigeria’s President.
The presidential spokesperson explained that the visit would provide an opportunity for “spiritual reflection, devotion, and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and continued progress”.
He added that the President would use the pilgrimage to seek Allah’s blessings for Nigeria and its citizens amid the country’s ongoing efforts to address its economic, security and governance challenges.
“While in Makkah, President Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people,” Onanuga stated.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the religious exercise.
Thursday’s arrival marks Tinubu’s second visit to Makkah to perform Umrah since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
His first pilgrimage as President took place in November 2023, following his participation in the Saudi-African Summit held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
During that visit, Tinubu travelled to Makkah, where he performed Umrah and offered prayers for divine guidance in leading Nigeria.
The November 2023 journey formed part of his official engagements in Saudi Arabia, during which he participated in discussions aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and other African countries.
His latest visit comes nearly three years after that pilgrimage and continues his practice of undertaking religious observances while serving as President.
Umrah, commonly described as the lesser Hajj, is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that involves specific religious rites, including entering a state of Ihram, circumambulating the Kaaba and walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
Although Umrah is distinct from the annual Hajj pilgrimage, it remains an important act of worship for Muslims seeking spiritual renewal, forgiveness and closeness to Allah.
The President’s visit also adds to his record of international travel since assuming office in May 2023.
During his presidency, Tinubu has undertaken numerous foreign engagements involving bilateral meetings, international summits, investment discussions and diplomatic consultations.
Available accounts indicate that he has visited more than 30 countries through over 50 international trips, including repeat visits to some destinations.
These engagements have taken him to countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas as part of efforts to advance Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic and strategic interests.
However, unlike many of his previous international engagements, which focused primarily on government business and diplomatic discussions, the latest visit to Saudi Arabia has been presented by the Presidency as a religious pilgrimage.
The Presidency has not announced any additional official meetings or diplomatic engagements connected with the current trip.
Tinubu’s expected return next week will follow the completion of the religious rites in Makkah.
The Presidency maintained that the pilgrimage is intended to provide an opportunity for the President to seek divine guidance and blessings for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of peace, national unity, stability and development.
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