The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly dismissed circulating reports that Saudi Arabia has imposed a visa ban on Nigerian citizens and nationals from 12 other countries.
In a statement released by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar clarified that the Saudi authorities have officially denied the authenticity of the widely shared memo. The document, which falsely listed Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, India, Pakistan, and others as being subject to visa restrictions, was described as misleading and inaccurate.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically refutes the false claims suggesting Nigeria is among countries banned from entering Saudi Arabia as of April 13, 2025,” the statement read.
According to the Ministry, the Saudi Tourism Centre confirmed that no such directive exists. The only active travel advisory pertains to restrictions during the Hajj season: tourists on regular visas are not allowed to perform Hajj or stay in Makkah from April 29 to June 11, 2025 (01 Thul Quda to 14 Thul Hijjah 1446 AH). Entry during this period is reserved strictly for those with Hajj visas.
The Ministry urged the public to disregard the fabricated memo and to rely solely on verified government sources when seeking travel information.
“Unverified claims like this can lead to unnecessary panic and disrupt legitimate travel plans,” the statement added. “Travelers are advised to consult official Saudi channels, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or accredited diplomatic offices for reliable updates.”
Earlier reports, which gained traction online, alleged that 13 countries—including Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, Iraq, Bangladesh, and Indonesia—had been temporarily barred from securing certain types of Saudi visas, supposedly in preparation for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The Ministry emphasized that this information is not only false but potentially harmful.
