Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly refuted online claims that the country has been included in a list of nations facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia, effective from April 13th, 2025.
The Ministry issued a statement on Monday signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs clarifying that Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the authenticity of a widely circulated document alleging visa restrictions and an entry ban for several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India and Pakistan.
According to the Nigerian Foreign Ministry, the Saudi Tourism Centre has confirmed that no such directive exists. They stated that the only current travel guidelines relate to the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Ministry explained that the sole restriction in place concerns tourist visa holders during the Hajj season. These individuals are not permitted to perform Hajj or enter and remain in Makkah between April 29th and June 11th, 2025. The Hajj visa remains the only valid entry permit for pilgrims during this specific period.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the public to disregard the misleading information and to always verify travel details from official sources before making any decisions. They cautioned that spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel arrangements.
For accurate and the latest information, travellers are advised to consult official Saudi government channels, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or accredited diplomatic missions.
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