President Tinubu Leaves Saudi Arabia After Week-Long Spiritual Visit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has left Saudi Arabia and is returning to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, after a week-long pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. He departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
“President Tinubu’s plane took off from the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at exactly 5:13 p.m. Saudi time,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Before leaving for Abuja, the president held a brief meeting with the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. They met at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport complex.
The visit began last Thursday and drew keen attention from Nigerians at home. Its high point came on Sunday, when the president was granted the rare privilege of entering the interior of the Holy Ka’abah, the cubic structure at the centre of Islam’s holiest mosque. There, he and his delegation performed two rak’ahs of prayer. They also carried out the Umrah rites and circumambulated the Ka’abah at Masjid al-Haram.
Tinubu also offered prayers for lasting peace, security, unity and prosperity in Nigeria. He asked for divine guidance, wisdom and strength to continue serving the nation.
The trip has sparked political commentary from several quarters. It comes soon after the formal launch of his presidential campaign in Kaduna State on October 24, 2026.
Speaking to journalists, the president said that only God determines who leads Nigeria at any given time. “Allah is the only one who can define a human being, what he will be, and what he will become,” he said.
He thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, who has reigned since 2015, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the hospitality and special courtesies extended to his delegation, particularly for granting access to the Ka’abah.
The presidential entourage included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe States, among others.
