Tinubu Departs Saudi Arabia For Nigeria After Umrah

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Abuja after completing his Umrah (Lesser Hajj) in the holy city of Makkah. According to a statement by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of the airport at exactly 5:13 p.m. Saudi time.

Onanuga said the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya, accompanied the President to the airport. Before his departure, Tinubu held a brief meeting with the Deputy Governor of Makkah at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> The President had earlier led members of the Nigerian delegation in performing the Umrah rites, including the circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah.

Last Sunday, Tinubu was granted the rare privilege of entering the sacred structure, where he and members of his delegation performed the two raka’at prayers. Inside the Holy Ka’abah, the President offered special supplications to Almighty Allah for lasting peace, security, unity and prosperity in Nigeria, while seeking divine guidance, wisdom and strength to continue serving the Nigerian people.

He also prayed for Allah’s continued blessings upon Nigeria, its leaders and citizens, expressing hope that the country’s diversity would become a source of strength, national cohesion and shared prosperity. Tinubu held a brief meeting with the Deputy Governor of Makkah at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport before departing Saudi Arabia. Onanuga said the President’s visit to Saudi Arabia provided an opportunity for spiritual reflection, thanksgiving and prayers for Nigeria, as well as a renewed commitment to building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.

The statement added that Tinubu expressed profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the special courtesies and hospitality extended to him and the Nigerian delegation, particularly the privilege of accessing the Holy Ka’abah to offer prayers. “President Tinubu left the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with renewed faith, gratitude to Almighty Allah and an unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the aspiration of building a better Nigeria for all,” the statement said.

Those in the President’s entourage included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe States, among others.