UPDATE: Why Saudi Authorities Opened the Holy Kaaba for Tinubu
By Abdulrazaq Mungadi
Saudi authorities opened the Holy Kaaba for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his Umrah visit to Makkah on Sunday, November 1, 2026, granting the Nigerian leader and selected members of his entourage access to the interior of Islam’s most sacred structure.
Among those who entered the Kaaba alongside the President was Nigerian billionaire businessman and BUA Group Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who described the experience as a rare religious privilege and a moment he would cherish throughout his life.
Rabiu disclosed this in a post on his verified Facebook page, where he expressed gratitude for being among those granted access to the sacred structure.
“Alhamdulillah, today I was profoundly humbled and blessed to be among those granted the extraordinary honour of entering the Holy Kaaba alongside His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he wrote.
He described the experience as a “once-in-a-lifetime blessing” and said he offered prayers not only for himself and his family but also for Nigeria.
“In that most sacred of places, my thoughts and prayers were not only for myself and my family, but for our entire nation,” Rabiu stated, praying for lasting peace, unity and prosperity in the country.
The opening has drawn attention to the historical tradition surrounding access to the Kaaba, which is generally restricted to selected dignitaries, royal guests and other authorised visitors.
Unlike the regular rites of Hajj and Umrah, entering the Kaaba is not an entitlement available to ordinary pilgrims, regardless of their religious status or the number of times they have visited Makkah.
According to Saudipedia, Saudi Arabia’s official encyclopaedic platform, access to the interior of the Kaaba is restricted to selected individuals.
General public access is not permitted because of the large number of pilgrims visiting the Grand Mosque and the need to prevent overcrowding.
UPDATE: Why Saudi Authorities Opened the Holy Kaaba for Tinubu
The responsibility for opening and closing the Kaaba traditionally belongs to the Al-Shaibi family, also known as Bani Shaybah, whose custodianship dates back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The family holds the key to the Kaaba and oversees its opening, closing and interior washing, while Saudi authorities coordinate arrangements for official visitors and guests.
The arrangement reflects a historical tradition preserved across generations, with access granted on special occasions rather than as part of the normal pilgrimage programme.
Tinubu’s entry also has a Nigerian precedent. Former President Muhammadu Buhari was granted access to the interior of the Kaaba on February 26, 2016, during his official visit to Saudi Arabia.
Contemporary reports by The Guardian said the opening was facilitated at the instance of the then Saudi King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as a mark of respect for the visiting Nigerian leader.
Although access to the Kaaba is considered a significant religious privilege, entering the structure is not one of the obligatory or prescribed rites of Umrah.
Muslims performing Umrah complete the pilgrimage through Ihram, Tawaf around the Kaaba, Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, and shaving or trimming their hair.
For millions of Muslims who visit Makkah annually, the opportunity to enter the Kaaba remains restricted, making its occasional opening for selected guests an event of considerable religious and historical interest.
