According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Garba Shehu , the visit is at the instance of Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the Kingdom.
The Umrah trip which was announced through a statement noted that the president is expected back in the country on the 21st of May 2019.
The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the ruler of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the Kingdom.
“To this effect, the President, accompanied by close personal aides, will embark on the journey on Thursday, 16th May.
“He is expected back in the country on Tuesday, 21st May.
Umrah is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that can be made at any time of the year.”