Saudi Minister of Hajj Meets Nigerian Umrah Agents, Addresses Visa Delays, Others
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, has engaged with licensed Umrah agents in a 30-minute interactive session to discuss operational challenges affecting Nigerian pilgrims.
The meeting was held on the sideline of the ongoing 2026 Umrah and Ziyarah Forum (UZF), an event organized by the Hajj Ministry in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program to showcase innovations, technologies, and services designed to enhance the experience of pilgrims.
The Minister opened the session by expressing appreciation for the critical role agents played in the success of the recent Umrah season.
He stressed that achievements in pilgrimage operations would not have been possible without the agent’s active cooperation with the Ministry.
Speaking during the session, a prominent agent, Mustapha Hamsyl, raised concerns over persistent delays in visa issuance for Nigerian pilgrims.
He noting that slow processing timelines have resulted in ticket cancellations and widespread disappointment among travelers.
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Meanwhile, Dr. Al Rabiah attributed the delays primarily to issues surrounding Nigerian Umrah pilgrims who overstay their visas in Saudi Arabia.
However, he acknowledged that there has been a significant reduction in overstay cases and assured agents that the Ministry would continue to work with relevant authorities to mitigate the problem.
Also speaking another agent from Kano, Nigeria, proposed a structural adjustment to the Raudha visitation process.
He suggested that Raudha appointment barcodes should be printed directly on visa pages to eliminate the need for pilgrims to independently download and navigate the Nusuk application.
According to him, the measure would not only simplify access but also curb the illicit black-market trade of Raudha appointment slots.
The Minister welcomed the suggestion and confirmed that the proposal would be reviewed as part of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and transparency in pilgrimage processes.
