NIGERIA : President Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Umrah in Saudi Arabia

President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja on Wednesday night after completing a week-long lesser pilgrimage, known as Umrah, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The presidential aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53pm, according to a brief statement by the State House media office.

Tinubu was received at the airport by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Education; the Minister of State for Defence; the Inspector-General of Police; and other senior government officials.

The President had departed King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 5:13pm Saudi time on Wednesday aboard the presidential aircraft.

His visit to Saudi Arabia began last Thursday, during which he performed the Umrah rites at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud granted Tinubu and members of his delegation access to the interior of the Holy Ka’abah, where they observed two raka’at prayers and offered supplications for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity.

Speaking to journalists after completing the pilgrimage on Friday, Tinubu said only God could determine who would lead Nigeria.

His comment came days after he formally launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, ahead of the January 16, 2027 general elections.

Members of the President’s entourage included the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno and Yobe states, among other officials.