By Gerald Olusegun
Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are set to strengthen policy coordination on pilgrimage management following the historic visit of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Awzan Al-Ghawabia, to Abuja.
Receiving the delegation, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the visit as a significant diplomatic engagement that will enhance structured collaboration on Hajj and Umrah administration.
He commended Saudi authorities for ongoing reforms aimed at improving crowd control, safety standards and service delivery for pilgrims worldwide.
The Minister noted that Nigeria has adopted forward-looking measures, including a comprehensive framework to address consular and visa-related challenges, particularly issues linked to Umrah travel.
Tuggar also advocated a review of Nigeria’s Hajj quota, citing the country’s growing population and its position as one of the largest contributors of pilgrims globally.
In his response, Dr. Al-Ghawabia reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to institutional partnership with Nigeria to ensure compliance with regulations and improve operational efficiency ahead of the 1447 Hijri Hajj.
He stated that about 89,000 Nigerians performed Umrah in 2025, with hundreds of direct flights recorded, adding that early coordination is key to seamless pilgrimage operations.
The engagement underscores renewed diplomatic and policy alignment between both countries in managing one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
