President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, saying he remains determined to pursue national prosperity, invest in young people and serve Nigerians with wisdom and resilience.
The President made the remarks on Monday, November 2, 2026, while reflecting on his spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, during which he and members of the Nigerian delegation were granted access to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
Tinubu thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting the delegation the privilege, describing the experience as a significant moment in the longstanding relationship between both countries.
Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led the President into the Ka’abah, where Tinubu said he prayed and expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief.
He described the access as a rare spiritual experience and acknowledged the hospitality extended to him and the delegation by the Saudi authorities.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu said he asked Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered.
“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted. Before the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then, and He did. And I promised that I would come back to thank Him,” he said.
Reflecting on Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, the President said political authority ultimately belongs to Allah and should be exercised with humility and responsibility.
He described leadership as a trust, noting that those entrusted with power must use it in the interest of the people because authority is not permanent.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” Tinubu said, adding that those in positions of authority must act in accordance with divine guidance.
The President also described his emergence as Nigeria’s leader as a blessing, saying it had strengthened his sense of responsibility to the country.
“I have faith in that, and I believe extremely well that He has done me and my country a great favour. Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being,” he said.
Tinubu said the experience had further strengthened his resolve to deliver on his administration’s development agenda, known as Project Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
On the economy, the President expressed optimism about the country’s progress, describing its economic foundation as solid.
“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he said.
He also stressed the need to invest in young Nigerians, warning that decisions taken by present leaders would shape how future generations judge their performance.
“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,” Tinubu added.
The statement said members of the delegation, including Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ali Pate, and governors from Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara States, also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to enter and pray inside the Ka’abah.
Business leaders, including BUA Chairman Abdulsamad Rabiu and Oando Chief Executive Officer Wale Tinubu, were also part of the delegation.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on November 2, 2026.
Ademide Adebayo
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