President Bola Tinubu departed King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, heading for Abuja.
Tinubu’s departure comes after he completed a week-long lesser pilgrimage in the holy city of Makkah.
“President Tinubu’s plane took off at the Royal Terminal of the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, at exactly 5:13 pm Saudi time,” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement Wednesday.
The Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yakubu Gambo; and the Consul-General, Ambassador Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya, accompanied the President to the airport.
Prior to his departure, Tinubu held a brief meeting with the deputy governor at the Royal Guest Palace inside the airport complex.
The visit, which started last Thursday, featured a series of spiritual activities that drew considerable public attention back home.
The president led his delegation in carrying out the Umrah rites, including the circumambulation of the Holy Ka’abah at Masjid al-Haram.
The high point of the visit came on Sunday, when King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud granted Tinubu the rare privilege of entering the interior of the Holy Ka’abah, the sacred cubic structure at the heart of Islam’s holiest mosque, where he and members of his delegation performed the two raka’at prayers.
Inside the Ka’abah, Tinubu offered prayers for enduring peace, security, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria and sought divine guidance, wisdom, and strength to keep serving the Nigerian people.
The visit also drew political commentary because of its timing.
Tinubu travelled to Makkah days after officially launching his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, with the January 16, 2027 general elections now less than 75 days away.
Speaking to journalists after completing his Umrah rites on Friday, the president had stated that only God could decide who would lead Nigeria, saying, “Allah is the only one who can define a human being, what he will be, and what he will become.”
On Sunday, he hosted members of his delegation to dinner and prayed that Nigeria’s diversity would be turned into prosperity.
After entering the Ka’abah on Monday, he restated what he called his commitment to “Project Nigeria,” saying, “My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to bring about prosperity and fully develop the country, in line with the wish of Allah and the support of the people.”
Tinubu thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the hospitality and special courtesies shown to his delegation, especially the access granted to the Ka’abah.
His entourage on the return flight included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the governors of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Borno, and Yobe States, among others.
