President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to building a prosperous Nigeria, saying his resolve to develop the country and invest in its younger generation has grown stronger after he was granted access to pray inside the Holy Ka'abah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The President made the remarks on Monday, November 2, while reflecting on his recent Umrah pilgrimage. He said he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians and expressed confidence that his prayers had been answered.

His remarks were contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Tinubu thanked Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of the Nigerian delegation access to the sacred site.

Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led the President into the Ka'abah, where he offered prayers of gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Nigeria's President and Commander-in-Chief.

Describing the experience as historic, Tinubu said he was particularly struck by the green-white-green fencing around the Ka'abah, which reminded him of Nigeria's national identity.

"It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka'abah. This is history," he said.

A Prayer for Leadership

The President recalled that he performed Umrah before the 2023 presidential election, during which he prayed for Allah's blessings and promised to return to give thanks.

He also reflected on Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur'an, which speaks about Allah's ultimate authority over power and sovereignty.

According to him, political authority is a trust that must be exercised with humility and responsibility, as no position of leadership is permanent.

"My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people," Tinubu said.

He acknowledged the challenges confronting the country but expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome them through faith.

"We are all facing challenges and hostility around us. We will overcome them with faith in God Almighty," he added.

Economy and Youth Development

On the economy, Tinubu expressed optimism about the country's economic direction, saying the foundations for recovery and development had been established.

"The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring," he said.

He also stressed the importance of investing in young Nigerians, warning that the decisions taken by present leaders would shape how future generations remember their administration.

"We need to build a future for our youth. If we don't invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now? That's the main thing," he said.

Members of the Delegation

The statement said members of the Nigerian delegation also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to enter and pray inside the Ka'abah.

They included the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and the governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara States.

Business leaders accompanying the President included Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Oando Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu.

Tinubu departed Abuja for Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 29, 2026, to perform Umrah. He completed the pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday, October 30.