Tinubu makes history as second Nigerian president to enter Kaaba interior

The President joins an exclusive list of influential Nigerians granted access to the Holy Kaaba. But who entered before him, what happens inside the sacred chambers, and is there really an idol inside, as some have claimed? Muslim News reveals the facts.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been granted the rare privilege of entering the interior of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, becoming the second Nigerian president to receive the exceptional honour after former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The experience, which took place during Tinubu’s Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), has drawn attention to the spiritual significance of the sacred structure and prayers offered for Nigeria.

The privilege, granted to selected individuals with the approval of the Saudi authorities, has previously been extended to prominent Nigerian political leaders, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and business figures during visits to the Kingdom.

Speaking shortly after his visit, Tinubu expressed gratitude to Allah, describing the experience as an opportunity to return to Him in thanksgiving.

“God has favoured me. I am thankful. I have returned to give Allah thanks,” the President said in an interview with State House Correspondent, Musbau Dan-Wahab.

Watch: President Tinubu believes he has been granted wisdom to continue to serve Nigeria after visiting the Holy mosque in Makkah.

He said this in an interview with our state house correspondent, Musbau Dan-Wahab shortly after returning from his historic entry into stone building called Ka’aba.

— NTANetwork (@NTANewsNow) November 2, 2026

He also expressed his belief that Allah had granted him the wisdom, strength and guidance needed to continue discharging the responsibilities of leading Nigeria.

BUA Group chairman among those granted access

Among those who accompanied Tinubu on the pilgrimage was the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who confirmed that he was also granted access to the Kaaba’s interior alongside the President.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, November 1, Rabiu described the experience as an extraordinary honour and a once-in-a-lifetime blessing, expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity.

“Alhamdulillah, today I was profoundly humbled and blessed to be among those granted the extraordinary honour of entering the Holy Kaaba alongside His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he wrote.

The industrialist prayed for Allah to accept their supplications and bless Nigeria with lasting peace, unity and prosperity.

Muslim News gathered that the President and his entourage departed Abuja on Thursday, October 29, and arrived Jeddah on Friday morning, October 30, to perform Umrah rites at the Grand Mosque, Masjid Al-Haram, where he circumambulated the Kaaba as part of the pilgrimage.

Speaking with journalists shortly after completing the religious rites, Tinubu described the pilgrimage as spiritually significant, saying he felt fulfilled and regarded the exercise as an opportunity to renew his commitment to Nigeria and seek Allah’s guidance.

“I believe this Umrah is very significant for the love of our people, commitment to the job and our country, Nigeria; commitment to the will of Allah that His words must prevail, and that there’s no other God but Him and He’s the only one that makes a human being what he can be and what he would be in life,” he said.

The President also expressed gratitude to Allah for the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage, disclosing that he and his entourage had offered prayers for peace and harmony in Nigeria.

“I am grateful to Allah for being able to perform this Umrah. We have just prayed for our nation, for everyone to live in peace and harmony, happiness and faith in God Almighty,” Tinubu added.

Tinubu, governors pray for Nigeria’s prosperity

At a dinner with members of his delegation in Makkah on Sunday, November 1, the President again offered prayers for Nigeria, particularly for unity, peace and prosperity amid the country’s religious, ethnic and regional diversity.

“May Almighty Allah bless Nigeria, convert our diversity into prosperity as a country,” he said.

The gathering brought together state governors, senior government officials and business leaders who accompanied him on the pilgrimage.

The Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, spoke on behalf of the governors, pledging their continued prayers for the President and Nigeria.

“Only Allah can reward you; we will continue to pray for you daily and pray for Nigeria that you lead. May Allah continue to strengthen you in making the right decisions, strengthen your wisdom, your boldness, your audacity, your courage. May Allah lead you to the right path,” AbdulRazaq said.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also prayed for the President, asking Allah to answer his personal supplications.

“No matter how highly placed, no matter how much you have achieved in life, there will always be one or two other things that you seek from Allah, private to you, whatever they are. May Allah continue to answer your prayers,” Fagbemi said.

Buhari, Shettima, Sanusi among previous beneficiaries

Tinubu is not the first Nigerian president to receive the privilege of entering the interior of the Holy Kaaba.

In February 2016, former President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his delegation were granted access to the sacred structure during an official visit to Saudi Arabia, following an arrangement made by the late King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Muslim News findings revealed that several prominent Nigerians were among those who received the honour during the visit. They included the then governors of Borno, Osun, Ogun, Katsina and Zamfara states: Kashim Shettima, Rauf Aregbesola, Ibikunle Amosun, Aminu Bello Masari and Abdulaziz Yari, respectively.

Other reported beneficiaries included the then Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; the Otaru of Auchi, Haliru Momoh; and the Emir of Maradun, Mohammed Garba Tambari.

The late Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmed Lemu and the late businessman and publisher Isa Funtua were also named in reports of the 2016 visit, alongside other Nigerian dignitaries.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, was similarly reported to have entered the sacred structure during Buhari’s visit, making him one of the prominent Nigerian business figures associated with the privilege under successive administrations.

What does entering the Holy Kaaba chambers mean?

The Holy Kaaba, located within Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah, is Islam’s most sacred structure. Muslims across the world face towards it during their five daily prayers, while pilgrims circumambulate it during Hajj and Umrah.

Although access to its interior is restricted, selected Muslim leaders, scholars and dignitaries are occasionally granted the rare privilege of entering to offer voluntary prayers or participate in its ceremonial washing. Entry is not a requirement for Hajj or Umrah and does not determine the validity of either pilgrimage.

In August 2022, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the ceremonial washing of the Kaaba on behalf of King Salman. He and invited guests, including Professor Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, subsequently performed two rak‘ahs inside. Professor Sano described the experience as a great honour.

Other foreign leaders who have entered the Kaaba to pray include President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who visited with his family in April 2015; President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan in July 2023; and President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia in July 2025.

These occasions demonstrate the religious and symbolic significance attached to entering the sacred chambers, offering prayers and participating in the ceremonial cleaning of the House of Allah.

The rare access to the Kaaba’s interior also offers an opportunity to dispel misinformation, particularly claims circulated by some adherents of traditional religion in southwestern Nigeria, suggesting that an idol or statue is kept inside the sacred structure.

Available Evidence show that the interior contains three wooden pillars supporting its roof, marble inscriptions and plaques documenting its history and renovations, as well as a silk curtain bearing the Shahadah (Islamic declaration of faith) and some of the names of Allah.

It also has a golden door known as Bab al-Tawbah (Door of Repentance), which provides access to the roof. The Saudi Press Agency has also documented the periodic cleaning of the interior, including its pillars, floor and walls.

Islam strictly prohibits idol worship and associating partners with Allah. Muslims worship Allah alone, while the Kaaba serves as the Qiblah, the direction towards which they face during prayers; it is not an object of worship.

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