Hajj diplomacy and economic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, 2012-2022

Abstract

The Hajj Pilgrimage has maintained a central role in the overall belief architecture of the Islamic faith. As a unique symbol in the Islamic tradition, the Hajj pilgrimage has gone on to also play a very pivotal role in deepening diplomatic relations between countries like those under review whose citizens carry out this very holy ritual. Through Hajj, diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have become entrenched and sustained over the years. Nonetheless, the economic benefits in this bilateral diplomacy appear to favour the Saudi Arabian side, at the expense of Nigeria. This paper therefore attempts to underscore Hajj diplomacy and its economic undertone and analyse it within the context of the Nigerian – Saudi Arabian relations. The data for the study which is qualitative research, were collected through interviews and analysis of documents. The findings of the study revealed that one of the reasons for the lopsidedness in the economic benefit of this relations is the perception amongst people of the Islamic faith in Nigeria, that Hajj is only a spiritual affair devoid of any economic undertone. The paper also found that the Nigerian authorities do not have an organized and well-coordinated approach to engaging the Saudi authorities. It recommends amongst other things the need to redefine the Hajj diplomatic relations between the two countries in a bid to capture its economic aspect, and for more coordination in Nigeria’s management of hajj affairs.