No Saudi Arabia Entry Ban for Nigeria: Official Travel Update

Abuja – Nigeria is not subject to any entry ban by Saudi Arabia, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed. This assurance directly counters a misleading memo that recently circulated online, incorrectly claiming Nigeria and several other nations faced a Saudi Arabia entry ban starting April 13. Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated that Saudi authorities have firmly debunked the false memo.

Understanding Hajj Season Travel Rules

Minister Tuggar clarified that the confusion likely stems from specific rules concerning the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage. “The Saudi Tourism Centre confirmed no such general directive exists,” he explained. Current official guidelines strictly regulate travel for Hajj purposes. Specifically, individuals holding standard tourist visas are not permitted to perform Hajj. Furthermore, they are restricted from entering or remaining in the holy city of Makkah between April 29 and June 11. Only a valid Hajj visa grants pilgrims access during this period. The notion of a wider Saudi Arabia entry ban affecting Nigerian travelers outside these Hajj rules is incorrect.

Verify Travel Information Officially

The Foreign Affairs Ministry strongly advises the public to disregard the inaccurate memo that caused unnecessary alarm. Anyone planning travel to Saudi Arabia should rely solely on official information sources before finalizing arrangements. “Sharing unverified information causes confusion and may affect travel plans,” Minister Tuggar cautioned. For trustworthy updates, travelers are directed to consult official Saudi government websites, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, or recognized diplomatic channels.