Tinubu, back from Umrah, says his commitment to Nigeria is stronger
- President Bola Tinubu prayed inside the Ka'abah in Makkah during an Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia.
- He said he asked for wisdom and strength to keep serving Nigerians, and that the prayer was answered.
- Tinubu also said the economy has left "the dark tunnel" and promised more focus on young people.
President Bola Tinubu has said his resolve to develop Nigeria has grown, after a spiritual trip to Saudi Arabia during which he was allowed to pray inside the Ka'abah in Makkah.
The president's spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced the trip in a statement on Monday. Tinubu performed the lesser pilgrimage, known as Umrah, and was granted access to the sacred site along with members of his delegation.
He thanked King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the permission, calling the experience historic and a sign of the friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
According to the statement, Tinubu said he noticed the Ka'abah's covering carried green, white and green, the colours of the Nigerian flag. "This is history," he said of the visit.
Prayers for wisdom and a promise kept
Tinubu said his prayers were for wisdom and the strength to keep serving Nigerians, and that he believes they have been answered. He recalled making the same pilgrimage before the 2023 election, when he prayed for success and promised to return in gratitude.
Reflecting on a verse of the Qur'an, Surah Aal-Imran 26, he described political power as a trust. In his words, God gives authority and can take it away, so whoever holds it should use it well. He called his election as president and commander-in-chief a favour he could not have earned on his own.
"My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher," Tinubu said, adding that he wants to bring prosperity and fully develop the country.
On the economy, the president said the foundation his government laid is solid and that Nigeria has come out of a difficult period. "The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel," he said.
He also said leaders must invest in young Nigerians, arguing that the choices made now will decide how this generation of leaders is judged in 50 years.
Those on the trip included Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate, the governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara, and business figures such as BUA Group chairman Abdulsamad Rabiu and Oando chief executive Wale Tinubu. Leadership reported that Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led the president into the Ka'abah.
What happens next
The statement did not announce any new policy or spending plan. Nigerians will watch whether the promises on the economy and youth translate into action, at a time when many households are still squeezed by high prices.
