Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to categorically refute the false claims circulating online, alleging that Nigeria has been included in a list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia from April 13, 2025. This was contained in a statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to the statement, Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the validity of this viral memo, which falsely claims that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and others, would be subject to visa restrictions and an entry ban. The Saudi Tourism Centre has confirmed that no such directive exists and that the only official travel guidelines currently in place pertain to the Hajj pilgrimage.
“For clarity, the only restriction applies to tourist visa holders during the Hajj season. Individuals holding a tourist visa are not permitted to perform Hajj, enter, or stay in Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025 (corresponding to 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH). The Hajj visa remains the sole authorized entry permit for pilgrims during this period.
“The Ministry urges the public to disregard the misleading document and to always verify travel information from official sources before taking action. Spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel plans. For accurate and up-to-date information, travellers are advised to consult official Saudi government sources, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or accredited diplomatic channels, ” it also added.
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