FG Denies Saudi Arabia Visa Ban On Nigerians

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected assertions suggesting that Saudi Arabian officials have imposed a visa prohibition on Nigerians along with 12 other nationalities.

In a declaration issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, it was revealed that Saudi authorities formally clarified yesterday that a widely circulated memo implying Nigeria’s placement on a visa-restricted list was untrue.

He labeled the document, which listed Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, India, Pakistan, and seven additional nations as affected, as deceptive and erroneous.

The statement articulates: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to categorically refute the false claims circulating online, alleging that Nigeria has been included in a list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia from April 13, 2025.

The Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the validity of this viral memo, which falsely claims that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and others, would be subject to visa restrictions and an entry ban.

The Saudi Tourism Centre has confirmed that no such directive exists, and that the only official travel guidelines currently in place pertain to the Hajj pilgrimage.

For clarity, the only restriction applies to tourist visa holders during the Hajj season. Individuals holding a tourist visa are not permitted to perform Hajj, enter, or stay in Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025 (corresponding to 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH). The Hajj visa remains the sole authorised entry permit for pilgrims during this period.”

The ministry encouraged citizens to dismiss the ‘misleading’ document and consistently check travel details with credible sources before proceeding.

“Spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel plans. For accurate and up-to-date information, travelers are advised to consult official Saudi government sources, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or accredited diplomatic channels,” it affirmed.

On Monday, the internet was abuzz with claims that Nigerians and nationals from 13 other countries had been provisionally barred by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from seeking specific visa types as preparations commence for this year’s hajj pilgrimage to the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina.

The 13 additional nations purportedly cited were: Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, India, Tunisia, Iraq, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Yemen, Jordan, and Indonesia. Per the report, Saudi officials indicated the suspension was intended to deter unauthorized persons from undertaking the pilgrimage without proper permits, which creates safety and logistical difficulties.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli