President Bola Tinubu will begin his Tinubu Umrah trip to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, October 29, to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity and stability. Before leaving Abuja, the President will commission newly acquired Nigerian Air Force equipment, the Presidency said.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will perform the religious rites associated with Umrah and seek Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its citizens.
The visit comes as the country continues to face security and economic challenges. However, the Presidency’s announcement focused on the religious purpose of the trip and did not outline any additional official engagements in Saudi Arabia.
Tinubu Umrah Trip Follows Air Force Equipment Commissioning
Before leaving Abuja, Tinubu is scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to support its operations.
The ceremony will take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The Presidency confirmed the planned commissioning but did not identify the equipment or disclose further details about its capabilities.
The commissioning forms part of the President’s scheduled activities before his departure for Saudi Arabia. The Air Force is responsible for supporting Nigeria’s defence operations, including aerial surveillance and other military missions.
Further details about the equipment, including its specifications and intended deployment, were not included in the announcement.
Presidency Gives Expected Return Date
The Presidency expects Tinubu to return to Nigeria next week after completing his pilgrimage in Makkah.. However, the statement did not provide a specific date for his return.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims can perform at different times of the year. It involves religious rites and acts of worship at the holy city. Unlike Hajj, which takes place during a designated period in the Islamic calendar, Muslims can perform Umrah throughout the year.
Tinubu plans to pray for Nigeria’s continued progress, peace and stability during the pilgrimage. The Presidency said he would seek divine guidance and blessings for the country and its people.
The announcement did not specify whether the President would hold meetings with Saudi officials or undertake other diplomatic activities during the visit.
Bayo Onanuga announced the planned trip and equipment commissioning in a statement on October 28, 2026.
