President Bola Tinubu has described performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia as a deeply spiritual experience, saying the pilgrimage offered him an opportunity to pray for Nigeria and its citizens.
Tinubu spoke in a video posted on his official X account after performing Umrah, also known as the lesser Hajj, in Makkah early Friday morning.
“I am grateful to Almighty Allah for the privilege of performing Umrah here in Saudi Arabia,” the President said.
“This is a deeply spiritual moment for me, and an opportunity to offer prayers for our beloved country, Nigeria, and all our people.”
He prayed for lasting peace, national unity and prosperity, asking Allah to protect Nigerians and grant the country’s leaders wisdom and strength to serve the nation.
“May Almighty Allah accept our prayers and supplications, grant our nation lasting peace, strengthen our unity, protect our people, and bless our collective efforts to build a more prosperous Nigeria.
“May He grant us wisdom and strength in the service of our nation and accept our Ibadah,” he added.
The President also described the pilgrimage as significant in relation to his love for Nigerians, commitment to national service and faith in Allah, particularly as he prepares for another presidential election.
Tinubu recalled undertaking a similar religious pilgrimage shortly before the 2023 presidential election, which he won.
He said his latest Umrah was an opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to Nigeria and seek divine guidance for the country.
“I believe this Umrah is very significant for the love of our people, commitment to the job and our country, Nigeria; commitment to the will of Allah that his words must prevail, and that there’s no other God but Allah and he’s the only one that makes a human being what he can be and what he would be in life,” he said.
“We just pray for our nation. We pray for everyone to be well, to live in harmony and faith in God almighty.”
Tinubu arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday evening, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Saudi head of royal protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.
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