Former Nigerian senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has sounded the alarm over the refusal of more than 600 Nigerians to return home after participating in the 2024 Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
This development he fears could lead to stricter visa regulations by Saudi authorities.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, Sani highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the continued presence of these Nigerians in Saudi Arabia after the pilgrimage could have severe implications for future Nigerian pilgrims.
According to him, the refusal to return home could compel the Saudi government to tighten their visa rules, making it significantly more difficult for Nigerians to obtain visas for religious pilgrimages in the future.
“Over 600 Nigerians who travelled to Saudi for Lesser Hajj refused to return, and this will compel the Saudi authorities to tighten their visa rules,” Sani warned.
“Many of those who want to travel will likely be tossed.”
This revelation has sparked widespread concern among Nigerians, with many calling on the federal government to swiftly intervene and address the situation.
There is growing anxiety that the actions of these individuals could have far-reaching consequences, not only for future pilgrims but also for Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
The issue of Nigerians overstaying their visas in foreign countries is not new, but the scale of this incident has heightened fears that Saudi Arabia could respond with punitive measures.
This could include imposing more stringent requirements on visa applicants, thereby affecting thousands of Nigerians who wish to perform religious pilgrimages in the future.
Already, there are concerns that Saudi authorities could introduce measures such as increased scrutiny of visa applications, mandatory financial guarantees, or even a reduction in the number of visas issued to Nigerian nationals.
Such steps could significantly hamper the ability of Muslims in Nigeria to fulfill their religious obligations, particularly those who plan to undertake the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
In response to the growing outcry, some Nigerians have urged the government to negotiate with Saudi authorities to prevent the situation from escalating.
They argue that the actions of a few should not be allowed to tarnish the reputation of the entire nation or restrict the religious freedoms of other citizens.
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