Saudi Arabia Shocks Nigeria by Cancelling Visa on Arrival for 264 Passengers

Saudi Arabia has canceled the visas on arrival for all 264 passengers arriving in the country via Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace. The cancellation, announced upon their arrival in Jeddah, has sparked concern in both aviation and diplomatic circles in Nigeria.

The move occurred while President Bola Tinubu is attending the Arab-Africa summits in Saudi Arabia, adding a diplomatic dimension to the incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently investigating the matter to determine if any consular or aviation rules were violated.

In a statement, the ministry emphasized its commitment to mitigating actions that could impact the welfare of Nigerian citizens, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 4-Ds strategy. The statement highlighted Nigeria’s recent participation in the Saudi-Africa Summit, where bilateral commitments were made across various sectors of the economy.

Despite being aware of the situation, the Presidency stated that they are awaiting further details. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Tope Ajayi, noted, “We are waiting to get updates on the matter.”

Air Peace’s flight, which originated from Lagos, passed through Kano before reaching Saudi Arabia without any apparent issues. However, upon landing, the Saudi authorities canceled all passengers’ visas, leaving both the airline personnel and passengers shocked.

The Nigerian embassy in Jeddah intervened, leading to a reduction in the number of passengers to be returned from 264 to 170. The reasons behind this unprecedented move remain unclear, with speculation suggesting aeropolitics as a potential factor.

Stakeholders in the aviation sector, including industry expert Group Captain John Ojikutu, have urged immediate intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ojikutu emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to support designated carriers, such as Air Peace, and intervene diplomatically to ensure the protection of their rights as outlined in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two countries.

The incident has raised concerns about the potential impact on Nigerian carriers operating international routes and underscores the importance of diplomatic measures to address such challenges in the future.