By Seun Ibiyemi
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified on Monday that Nigeria is not on the list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia, effective from April 13.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar provided the clarification in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
The minister confirmed that Saudi authorities had officially stated that the viral memo suggesting Nigeria’s inclusion in the ban was false. He described the document, which also listed countries such as Egypt, India, and Pakistan, as misleading and inaccurate.
“The Saudi Tourism Centre has confirmed that no such directive exists. The current official travel guidelines are specific to the Hajj pilgrimage,” Tuggar explained.
He went on to clarify that the only restriction pertains to holders of tourist visas during the Hajj period. “Tourist visa holders cannot perform Hajj, enter, or remain in Makkah between April 29 and June 11 (from 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH).”
“The Hajj visa remains the only valid entry permit for pilgrims during that time,” Tuggar emphasised.
The minister urged the public to disregard the misleading memo and to confirm travel information through official sources before making any plans.
“Sharing unverified information leads to confusion and could disrupt travel arrangements,” he cautioned.
“For accurate updates, travellers should consult official Saudi sources, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or recognised diplomatic channels,” he added.