Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, Yusuf Tuggar has commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia longstanding cordial relation and enduring bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries.
Ambassador Tuggar stated this when he received the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfig Fawzan Alrabiah, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Minister said 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 with 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.
He also commends 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,” Ambassador Tuggar stated.
According to him, Nigeria has taken decisive and forward-looking steps to address the recurring consular challenges associated with recent difficulties in obtaining Umrah visas.
Consequently, Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has 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 Nigerian citizens in the Kingdom.
Ambassador Tuggar said the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has already conveyed its approval for this partnership.
He further recalled 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.
He said 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.”
Nigeria’s minister of Foreign Affairs believed that the deliberations have been productive and forward-looking, and the engagement has yielded practical outcomes that will further consolidate the excellent relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ambassador Tuggar conveyed the warm greetings, goodwill and best wishes of the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and also to Prime Minister and Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
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 the two brotherly nations.