Saudi Arabia Sponsors 20 Nigerians For Umrah Pilgrimage In 2025

Twenty Nigerians will embark on a fully sponsored Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2025, thanks to the Kingdom’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at a farewell ceremony in Abuja hosted by the Saudi Embassy.

The event, presided over by Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Faisal bin Ibrahim Al-Ghamdi, commemorated the selection of 20 Nigerian pilgrims.

Ambassador Al-Ghamdi emphasised the Kingdom’s commitment to facilitating Muslim access to Islam’s holy sites around the world, as well as the program’s role in fostering Islamic unity and spiritual connection.

The programme, launched by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, covers all pilgrimage costs, including travel, lodging, and other logistics.

Ambassador Al-Ghamdi thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their commitment to improving the pilgrimage experience, praising their investment of more than $100 billion in modernising the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina.

He described the improvements as advanced infrastructure, crowd management systems, and technology designed to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.

The Ambassador emphasised the importance of following Saudi Arabia’s laws and regulations to ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to serving God’s guests and constantly improving the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage.

The selected Nigerian pilgrims thanked King Salman for this generous opportunity and praised the Kingdom’s leadership in serving Islam and Muslims.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme, which supports thousands of pilgrims each year, represents Saudi Arabia’s efforts to unite Muslims around the world and provide access to Islam’s holiest sites.