President Bola Tinubu has departed Saudi Arabia after completing the Umrah pilgrimage in Makkah, bringing to an end a religious visit that generated political controversy following former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s demand for evidence of the President’s whereabouts and questions over his travel itinerary.
A video shared on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, by the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, showed Tinubu waving goodbye to Nigerian and Saudi officials before boarding an aircraft.
Dada also disclosed that the President had been granted the rare privilege of entering the inner chambers of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, one of Islam’s most sacred sites.
Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at approximately 2:20 p.m. from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, following an announcement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, that he would travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj.
Before leaving Nigeria, the President commissioned newly acquired Nigerian Air Force helicopters and inaugurated the Presidential Air Fleet Hangar at the airport.
He was seen off by senior government officials and several state governors, including AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State.
The Presidency had explained that the pilgrimage would provide Tinubu with an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued development.
However, the announcement immediately attracted criticism from Atiku Abubakar, who questioned the President’s actual destination and demanded daily photographic and video evidence confirming his presence in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku alleged that the announced pilgrimage might conceal a separate visit to France.
He claimed that information available to him suggested the President could make a brief appearance in Makkah before travelling to France.
Atiku also raised questions about whether the journey was connected to the President’s health or a purported $20 billion loan arrangement involving a French business partner.
The former Vice President nevertheless insisted that Nigerians were entitled to know their President’s whereabouts, daily engagements and the circumstances surrounding an official journey presented as a spiritual mission on behalf of the country.
He consequently challenged the Presidency to publish current, date-stamped photographs and videos showing Tinubu performing the Umrah rites at the Holy Kaaba.
Despite the controversy, the Presidency subsequently released details and images of the President’s religious activities in Makkah.
On Friday, October 30, Tinubu performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, where he circled the Holy Kaaba and offered prayers for Nigeria.
Speaking after the exercise, the President said, “I am grateful to Allah for being able to perform this Umrah. We have just prayed for our nation, for everyone to live in peace and harmony, happiness and faith in God Almighty.”
The visit took another turn on Sunday, November 1, when the Saudi authorities granted Tinubu and members of his delegation permission to enter the Holy Kaaba.
According to the Presidency, the privilege was authorised by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with the President accompanied into the sacred structure by Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram.
Tinubu offered prayers inside the Kaaba and expressed appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the honour extended to the Nigerian delegation.
Describing the experience, Tinubu said, “It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka’abah. This is history.”
He disclosed that he prayed for divine guidance to continue discharging his responsibilities as President.
“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” Tinubu stated.
The President also recalled performing Umrah before the 2023 presidential election, explaining that he had returned to express gratitude for what he regarded as answered prayers.
On Monday, November 2, Tinubu announced that he had concluded his Saudi Arabian visit, thanking the Saudi leadership for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
He said the opportunity to enter the Holy Kaaba reflected the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly their ties of faith, friendship and mutual respect.
“In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians,” he said.
Beyond Atiku’s questions about the itinerary, the pilgrimage also became a subject of political debate over suggestions that the visit was intended to strengthen Tinubu’s appeal among Muslim voters in Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Responding to that interpretation, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, dismissed claims that the pilgrimage was politically motivated.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oshodi maintained that Tinubu travelled to Makkah as a practising Muslim to undertake a religious obligation.
He argued that the visit should not be interpreted as an attempt to influence voters in any particular region, pointing out that other Muslim political figures, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, also participated in the religious activities.
The presidential aide encouraged other political leaders to seek divine guidance in accordance with their respective religious beliefs rather than politicise the President’s pilgrimage.
Wednesday’s departure video marks a further development in the President’s Saudi Arabian journey, following the earlier controversy over his destination and the Presidency’s subsequent publication of photographs, statements and accounts of his activities in Makkah.
Although the video showed Tinubu boarding an aircraft after bidding farewell to officials, the footage alone did not establish his aircraft’s final destination or confirm his arrival in Nigeria.
The President had originally been expected to return to the country during the first week of November following the completion of the pilgrimage.
Post Title: “Tinubu Departs Saudi Arabia After Umrah” — Visit Ends Amid Atiku’s Controversy Over Alleged France Trip By Naijaonpoint.