President Bola Tinubu has concluded a four-day spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia, saying he prayed for wisdom, strength and resilience to continue leading Nigeria.
The President also said he offered prayers for peace, unity and prosperity in the country while performing the lesser Islamic pilgrimage, Umrah, in Makkah.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation the rare opportunity to enter the Holy Kaaba.
Tinubu described the experience as a great honour and said it reflected the strong religious and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
He was reportedly led into the sacred structure by Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram, alongside ministers, governors and business leaders who accompanied him on the trip.
The President said he specifically asked Allah for the wisdom and resilience needed to serve Nigerians, adding that he believed the prayer had been answered.
Reflecting on his previous Umrah visit before the 2023 general election, Tinubu said he had promised to return to Makkah to express gratitude after becoming President.
He also referred to Quranic teachings in Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26, which describe Allah as the ultimate authority over power and sovereignty. According to him, political authority is a divine trust that must be exercised responsibly and in the interest of the people.
Tinubu described his emergence as Nigeria’s President as a special favour from God, saying the position carried a responsibility to serve the country with dedication and humility.
On the economy, the President expressed optimism about Nigeria’s recovery, describing the foundations of the economy as strong. He also emphasised the need for sustained investment in young people, arguing that their future should remain a priority for the country’s leadership.
He reaffirmed his commitment to what he called “Project Nigeria”, saying he remained determined to pursue policies that would promote national development and prosperity.
Tinubu completed the Umrah rites at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in the early hours of Friday, circling the Kaaba as part of the pilgrimage.
During the visit, he also met members of his delegation at a dinner in Makkah on Sunday, where he prayed for Nigeria’s diversity to serve as a foundation for national unity and prosperity rather than division.
Some members of the delegation also offered prayers for peaceful elections and the President’s continued leadership.
The delegation included Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states; BUA Group Chairman, Abdulsamad Rabiu; and Oando Plc Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu.
The visit comes amid preparations for the next general election, following the official launch of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24.
