Saudia Airlines will commence direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December, according to Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
Keyamo announced the development in a post on X after attending Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day celebration in Abuja.
The minister said Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, announced the planned route during his speech at the event.
“During his speech, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi announced the start of direct flights from Abuja to Jeddah in December by SAUDIA AIRLINES, something we have all worked on for some time now,” Keyamo wrote.
Saudia to deploy Airbus A321XLR
Keyamo also said Saudia would deploy an Airbus A321XLR on the Abuja-Jeddah route.
He attributed the decision to the federal government’s insistence that foreign airlines deploy newer aircraft on Nigerian routes.
“We are also pleased to note that, due to our continued insistence on deployment of newer aircraft by foreign airlines to the Nigerian route, SAUDIA AIRLINES, have unveiled the AIRBUS 321 XLR, the newest model of the AIRBUS family, to be deployed on the Abuja-Jeddah route,” he said.
Nigeria, Saudi Arabia deepen bilateral ties
Speaking at the event, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia were expanding their relationship beyond traditional ties.
He identified agriculture, energy, investment, aviation, financial technology and trade as areas with potential for deeper cooperation.
According to a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special assistant on media, greater collaboration in these sectors could create practical benefits for both countries and strengthen their economic ties.
Idris said the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia was built on history, faith, people-to-people connections and shared interests.
He noted that Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for generations for pilgrimage, education, business and other purposes.
Idris highlights investment opportunities
Idris said Nigeria could draw lessons from Saudi Arabia’s development experience as the federal government implements economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
He said the administration was implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the economy, improving the investment environment, expanding infrastructure and creating more opportunities for Nigerians.
The minister cited investments in roads and rail, efforts to improve electricity supply and reforms in the oil and gas sector, alongside increased attention to agriculture, manufacturing, digital technology and the creative economy.
He added that Nigeria was seeking to attract more long-term investment by creating clearer and more predictable frameworks for investors.
Idris said recent reforms in the deep offshore sector were designed to unlock new investment while strengthening Nigerian participation.
“We welcome Saudi investors and businesses that are interested in Nigeria. There is considerable room for cooperation in agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology and other productive sectors,” Idris said.
He commended the Saudi Arabian embassy for its efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow through increased trade, investment, exchanges and partnerships.
