FG dismisses claims of Nigeria being banned from Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically denied online rumors claiming that Nigeria is among countries banned from entering Saudi Arabia as of April 13, 2025.

In an official statement, the Ministry clarified that the memo making the rounds on social media is false and misleading. It further disclosed that Saudi authorities, including the Saudi Tourism Centre, have debunked the viral document, affirming that no such visa restrictions exist for Nigeria or other mentioned countries like Egypt, India, and Pakistan.

The only official restriction currently in effect concerns the Hajj season. According to Saudi guidelines, individuals holding tourist visas are not permitted to perform Hajj or enter the holy city of Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025, corresponding to 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH. The Hajj visa remains the exclusive permit for entry into the Kingdom during that period for pilgrimage purposes.

The Ministry cautioned the public against spreading unverified information, stressing the importance of relying on official sources for travel advisories. It urged Nigerians to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, official Saudi government platforms, or accredited diplomatic missions for accurate updates.

In an age where misinformation can go viral in minutes, this episode serves as a crucial reminder: always fact-check before sharing, especially when national and international mobility is at stake.