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Claim: Harrison on X asserts that Hajj has been cancelled in Nigeria because Saudi Arabia restricted Nigerians from applying for visas to Saudi Arabia.
Verdict: False! No credible online sources reported this. The Saudi Tourism Center confirmed that no such directive exists, and Nigeria’s Hajj Commission said it received no official notice.
Full Text
In recent years, the Nigerian passport has suffered significant devaluation, ranking low on the global passport index and limiting its holders’ travel freedom.
Many Nigerians are now used to frequent changes in visa policies and increased scrutiny at international borders, fueling anxieties whenever news of travel restrictions surfaces.
Amidst this, Harrison A (@harreceipts) on X shared a picture of a memo showing that Nigeria and 13 other countries have been restricted from applying for visas.
The visas include short-term Saudi visas for business, tourist e-visas, and family visits. The memo also noted that the restriction is effective from April 13, 2025.
The picture, which was quoted, “No more Hajj!” has now gone viral and garnered 118,800 views, 1400 likes, 493 reposts, and 204 comments.
Top personalities like Kate Henshaw, Morris Monye, Sahara Reporters, and Nigeria Stories also posted about it. The claim can also be found on Facebook here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
DUBAWA verified this claim because of its virality and negative impact on persons wishing to go on a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a Google Image Search to confirm the credibility of the source of the picture. We emailed the Saudi Tourism Unified Center (STUC) to clarify the memo. In their response, they noted that no official circular has been received regarding the suspension of visas.
“Regarding the recent rumours, we would like to clarify that there is no official circular regarding the suspension of visas. Anyone could apply for the tourist visa if the requirements are met,” they wrote in the mail.
In a statement signed by its management, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria also noted that it had not received any official communication from Saudi authorities on the matter. The commission, therefore, advised the public to disregard the message.
Conclusion
The claim that Saudi Arabia has placed a visa ban on Nigeria is false. DUBAWA’s findings show that the STU Centre and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria have made no official announcement or communication about any ban.
