President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Saudi Arabia for Nigeria after completing his Umrah (Lesser Hajj) in the holy city of Makkah.
The President's aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, at exactly 5:13 p.m. Saudi time on Wednesday, November 4, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He was seen off by the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nigeria's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yakubu Gambo, and Consul-General Ambassador Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya. Before departure, Tinubu held a brief farewell meeting with the Deputy Governor at the Royal Guest Palace within the airport.
President Tinubu arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 29, days after officially flagging off his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24. With the January 16, 2027 general elections less than 75 days away, the trip generated significant public attention at home.
During the visit, the President led his delegation in performing the Umrah rites, including the circumambulation (Tawaf) of the Holy Ka'abah at Masjid al-Haram, where he offered special prayers for Nigeria's peace, security, unity and prosperity.
The highlight of the pilgrimage came on Sunday, November 2, when King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud granted Tinubu the rare privilege of entering the interior of the Holy Ka'abah — the sacred cubic structure at the centre of Islam's holiest mosque — where he and members of his delegation performed two raka'at prayers.
Speaking after completing his Umrah rites on Friday, Tinubu said: "Allah is the only one who can define a human being, what he will be, and what he will become." On Monday he added: "I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah. I prayed for all Nigerians."
According to the Presidency, Tinubu left the Kingdom "with renewed faith, gratitude to Almighty Allah and an unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and the aspiration of building a better Nigeria for all."
He is expected to arrive Abuja Wednesday night and resume official duties immediately.
