Nigeria’s aviation links with Saudi Arabia are set for a major addition in December, when Saudia Airlines, the Kingdom’s national carrier, begins direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah.
Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Nigeria, announced the new service during the Kingdom’s 96th National Day celebration in Abuja. Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo later confirmed the development in a post on X, saying the route followed sustained efforts by both countries to establish the connection.
Saudia is expected to operate the route with the Airbus A321XLR. Keyamo said the deployment reflects the federal government’s continued insistence that foreign airlines serving Nigeria use newer aircraft.
He described the A321XLR as the newest model in the Airbus family and said its introduction on the Abuja–Jeddah route was part of the government’s efforts to secure improved aircraft standards for international services to Nigeria.
The new air link comes as Abuja and Riyadh seek to expand their longstanding relationship beyond its traditional foundations. Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said cooperation is increasing across agriculture, energy, investment, aviation, financial technology and trade.
According to a statement by his special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said these areas offer opportunities for practical economic cooperation and stronger ties between the two countries.
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have maintained longstanding connections built around faith, history and people-to-people exchanges. Nigerians have travelled to Saudi Arabia for generations for pilgrimage, education, business and other purposes, making air connectivity between both countries an important part of their relationship.
Idris also pointed to Saudi Arabia’s development experience as a reference point as the federal government implements it's economic reforms.
He said the Government is working to strengthen the economy, improve the investment environment and expand infrastructure, with ongoing attention to roads, rail, electricity and oil and gas reforms. Agriculture, manufacturing, digital technology and the creative economy are also receiving increased focus.
The government is seeking to attract more long-term investment through clearer and more predictable frameworks, Idris said. He added that recent reforms in the deep offshore sector are intended to unlock new investment while strengthening Nigerian participation.
Saudi businesses and investors, he said, have opportunities to participate in agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology and other productive sectors.
“We welcome Saudi investors and businesses that are interested in Nigeria. There is considerable room for cooperation in agriculture and food production, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology and other productive sectors,” Idris said.
He commended the Saudi Arabian embassy for its efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and expressed confidence that trade, investment, exchanges and partnerships between the two countries would continue to expand.
The December launch will add a direct Abuja–Jeddah connection to the longstanding network of links between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, combining stronger aviation connectivity with more ambitions for commercial and economic cooperation.
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