Nigeria not banned from Saudi Arabia — Foreign Affairs Ministry clears air

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly dismissed online reports stating that Nigeria is among countries banned from entering Saudi Arabia as from April 13, 2025.

In an official statement, the Ministry described the viral memo circulating on social media as false and misleading.

It also confirmed that Saudi authorities, including the Saudi Tourism Centre, have declared the document fake, affirming that no visa ban exists for Nigeria or any of the other mentioned countries, such as Egypt, India, and Pakistan.

The Ministry explained that the only valid restriction currently in place relates to the upcoming Hajj season.

As stated in Saudi guidelines, tourists holding regular visas are not allowed to perform Hajj or enter the holy city of Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025, which corresponds to 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH. Only those with Hajj visas are permitted to enter the Kingdom for pilgrimage during this period.

The Ministry cautioned Nigerians against spreading unverified news and emphasized the need to rely solely on official sources for travel updates. Citizens were advised to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recognized Saudi government platforms, or accredited diplomatic missions for accurate information.