Hajj, Umrah administration dominate FG – Saudi Minister talks

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Collaboration in the administration of Hajj and Umrah dominated the Nigerian and Saudi-Arabian governments bilateral talks in Abuja Tuesday with the discussionsreflecting on the collective responsibility of the two nations to safeguard the welfare, dignity, and spiritual fulfilment of pilgrims.
While receiving the Saudi Arabian Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfig F. AlRabiah who led the delegation from the Kingdom, Nigerian Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said the two nations shared a relationship deeply rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, and strong people-to-people ties.
Tuggar noted the relationship had continued to flourish across political, economic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions over decades, maintaining that Cooperation in the administration of Hajj and Umrah remains one of the most significant pillars of the partnership, reflecting their collective responsibility to safeguard the welfare, dignity, and spiritual fulfilment of pilgrims.
According Tuggar, “Your presence in Nigeria is a clear testament to the enduring bonds of friendship, brotherhood, and cooperation that unite the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“President Tinubu holds the leadership and people of the Kingdom in high esteem and remains firmly committed to further strengthening the longstanding and cordial relations between our two brotherly nations.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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 concluded.