By Abiola Olawale
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has broken its silence following Saudi Arabia’s suspension of Hajj visas for Nigeria and 13 other countries ahead of the 2025 Hajj season.
The New Diplomat reports that Saudi Arabia had explained that the temporary visa ban on Nigeria and other 13 countries is part of efforts to manage overcrowding and enhance safety during the annual religious event.
The decision, effective until mid-June 2025, suspends the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of the affected nations.
The affected countries include Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Algeria, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
This means that Nigerians won’t be able to attend the 2025 Hajj which is expected to take place between June 4 and June 9 (subject to moon sighting).
According to Saudi officials, the temporary ban aims to curb unauthorized participation in the Hajj pilgrimage, a recurring issue said to have led to overcrowding and tragic incidents in recent years.
In a statement released on Monday, April 7, 2025, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, urged calm, noting that it is in active discussions with Saudi authorities to ensure a seamless pilgrimage experience for Nigerians.
The statement reads in part: “We are aware of the suspension and are actively engaging Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels to seek clarity and resolution.”
“While we understand the anxiety this has caused, we ask all registered pilgrims to remain calm and refrain from making hasty decisions. We are working with our partners to ensure the issue is addressed swiftly.”
