President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to leave Abuja for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Islamic pilgrimage known as Umrah.
The president plans to pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress during the spiritual visit.
A State House statement says Tinubu will, before delarting for Umrah in Saudi Arabia, will commission Nigerian Air Force equipment before departure and is expected back next week.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s peace and unity. According to a State House press release issued on Wednesday, and posted by Bayo Onanuga, his special adviser on information and strategy, today, October 28, 2026, the president will depart Abuja on Thursday, with his return expected next week.
The visit combines a religious exercise with prayers for the country’s stability and continued development.
Why Tinubu is travelling to Umrah
The president’s planned trip was announced in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah. During the visit, Tinubu is expected to observe the religious rites associated with the exercise and seek Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its people.
The statement explained that the visit would give the president time for spiritual reflection and devotion while praying for the country’s future.
“The visit gives the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection, devotion, and prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and continued progress.”
The trip comes as part of Tinubu’s official schedule, although the statement did not provide further details about his activities in Saudi Arabia.
President Bola Tinubu to commission Nigerian Air Force equipment
Before leaving Abuja, the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to commission equipment acquired by the Nigerian Air Force for its operations.
The commissioning ceremony will take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
However, the announcement, as noted by Newsflashngr, did not identify the equipment or disclose its cost, specifications or intended operational use. It also did not provide details about the planned commissioning ceremony beyond its location.
When will Tinubu return to Nigeria?
According to the State House announcement, Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The president’s visit to Makkah is intended to focus on prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and progress.
Further details about his activities during the trip were not also included in the October 28 statement released by Bayo Onanuga.
Meanwhile, in another news, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve fresh external loans worth $20.51bn and about €1.04bn under the 2026–2027 supplementary borrowing plan.
The proposed loans are intended to fund projects in power, healthcare, education, transportation, agriculture, security and other key sectors.
Nigerians have criticised the request on social media, raising concerns about economic hardship, public debt and the financial burden on future generations.
Tinubu Seeks Fresh Foreign Loans Worth Billions
President Bola Tinubu’s request for fresh foreign loans worth billions of dollars and euros has sparked reactions among Nigerians, with some questioning the country’s borrowing needs amid economic hardship.
The request was presented to the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who referred it to the relevant committee for legislative review.
Tinubu is seeking approval for $20,517,755,901 and €1,045,083,643 under the Federal Government’s 2026–2027 supplementary external borrowing plan.
According to the letter read during plenary, the funds would help address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and close funding gaps in important sectors of the economy. Continue reading here:
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