By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah, an Islamic pilgrimage, and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity and stability.
The President’s aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, took off from Abuja at 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, according to reports.
The Presidency had earlier announced the trip in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
According to the statement, Tinubu will use the visit for spiritual reflection and devotion while seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the religious exercise. No specific date has been announced for his return.
Six governors were among the dignitaries who saw him off at the airport. They were AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Umar Namadi of Jigawa and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, alongside other government officials.
The trip marks Tinubu’s second visit to Makkah to perform Umrah since he assumed office in May 2023. He previously visited the holy city in November 2023, shortly after attending the Saudi-African Summit in Riyadh.
