The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described as spurious claims circulating online that Nigeria has been enlisted on a list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia starting from April 13, 2025.
In a statement released on Monday, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, refuted the false claims. He further said that Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the validity of the viral memo, which falsely suggests that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and others, would face visa restrictions and an entry ban.
The statement reads in part: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to categorically refute the false claims circulating online, alleging that Nigeria has been included in a list of countries facing an entry ban into Saudi Arabia from April 13, 2025.
“The Saudi Arabian authorities have officially denied the validity of this viral memo, which falsely claims that several countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and others, would be subject to visa restrictions and an entry ban. The Saudi Tourism Centre has confirmed that no such directive exists, and that the only official travel guidelines currently in place pertain to the Hajj pilgrimage.
“For clarity, the only restriction applies to tourist visa holders during the Hajj season. Individuals holding a tourist visa are not permitted to perform Hajj, enter, or stay in Makkah between April 29 and June 11, 2025 (corresponding to 01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH).
“The Hajj visa remains the sole authorized entry permit for pilgrims.”
“The Ministry urges the public to disregard the misleading document and to always verify travel information from official sources before taking action. Spreading unverified information can cause unnecessary confusion and disrupt travel plans. For accurate and up-to-date information, travelers are advised to consult official Saudi government sources, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or accredited diplomatic channels.”
