Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have committed to deepening their longstanding shared bilateral relations, which cut across political, economic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions, especially in the area of Hajj and Umrah administration.
This commitment was expressed during a high-level meeting in Abuja by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Maitama Tuggar and the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah on Tuesday.
While welcoming the Saudi delegation, Minister Tuggar described the visit as a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation between both countries, rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, and strong people-to-people ties.
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia share a relationship deeply rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, and strong people-to-people ties. Over the decades, this relationship has continued to flourish across political, economic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. Cooperation in the administration of Hajj and Umrah remains one of the most significant pillars of this partnership, reflecting our collective responsibility to safeguard the welfare, dignity, and spiritual fulfilment of pilgrims,’ he said.
Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to further deepen its cordial and strategic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Atabia.
‘Nigeria remains fully committed to close collaboration with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and all relevant Saudi institutions. We are keen to continue engaging constructively to address operational matters, strengthen institutional coordination, and explore new areas of cooperation that will further improve service delivery and pilgrimage management for Nigerian pilgrims.
“I am pleased to use this opportunity to inform the Honourable Minister that Nigeria has taken decisive and forward-looking steps to address the recurring consular challenges associated with recent difficulties in obtaining Umrah visas.
‘Consequently, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, approved a strategic collaboration and partnership between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a digital platform on the use of technology as a sustainable solution to the issue of consular overstays by some of our citizens in the Kingdom,’ the Minister stressed.
Already, Tuggar recalled that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) had already conveyed its approval for this partnership.
‘I wish to further recall that this solution was first discussed with Prince Farhan bin Saud, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Riyadh during President Tinubu’s official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where it received endorsement as a comprehensive and lasting approach to resolving this challenge once and for all.
‘We are confident that today’s deliberations will be frank, productive, and forward-looking, and that this engagement will yield practical outcomes that will further consolidate the excellent relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,’ he said.
The Minister conveyed the warm greetings of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for their remarkable reforms, innovations, and investments undertaken to enhance the safety, efficiency, and overall experience of pilgrims.
“We wish to commend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the remarkable reforms, innovations, and investments undertaken to enhance the safety, efficiency, and overall experience of pilgrims. These efforts are widely acknowledged and sincerely appreciated by the Government and people of Nigeria. They demonstrate visionary leadership and a strong sense of responsibility toward the Ummah.’
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The Minister sought the Saudi Minister’s support for the initiative and invited him to inspect the facility, designed to serve the mutual interests of both countries.
Both countries expressed confidence that the engagement would translate into practical outcomes to consolidate the excellent diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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