Verdict: FALSE — Historical records contradict the claim.
A claim circulating on social media that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has become the first Nigerian incumbent President in history to receive special access to the interior of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is misleading and contradicted by documented historical evidence.
Although President Tinubu was recently granted the rare privilege to enter the sacred structure during his visit to Saudi Arabia in November, 2026 , he is not the first Nigerian President to enjoy the opportunity
Records show that former President Muhammadu Buhari entered the Holy Kaaba in February 2016, approximately ten years before Tinubu’s latest visit.
1. What happened during Tinubu’s visit?
President Tinubu was granted access to the interior of the Holy Kaaba on Sunday, November 1, 2026, during his visit to Makkah for the lesser pilgrimage, known as Umrah.
According to reports, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga shared photographs showing the President at the sacred site, accompanied by members of his delegation.
Tinubu subsequently expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation the opportunity.
In a statement reported on November 2, the President described the experience as a historic and deeply cherished spiritual privilege.
The President also disclosed that his prayers centred on obtaining wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians.
Sources: State House, Punch and Okay News.
2. The historical evidence: Buhari entered the Kaaba in 2016
The strongest evidence against the viral claim comes from a contemporaneous report published by The Guardian Nigeria on February 27, 2016.
The newspaper reported that former President Muhammadu Buhari, alongside members of his Nigerian delegation, were granted access to the inner chambers of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.
According to the report:
- The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, February 26, 2016.
- The opening of the Kaaba was reportedly ordered by Saudi Arabia’s then-King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
- Buhari and members of his delegation entered the inner chamber and offered prayers for Nigeria’s peace and progress.
- The access was arranged as a mark of respect for the visiting Nigerian leader.
- The opening reportedly took place at approximately 1:45 a.m. Saudi local time.
The report also identified several prominent Nigerians who entered alongside Buhari.
They included:
- Kashim Shettima, then Governor of Borno State.
- Abdulaziz Yari, then Governor of Zamfara State.
- Rauf Aregbesola, then Governor of Osun State.
- Ibikunle Amosun, then Governor of Ogun State.
- Aminu Masari, then Governor of Katsina State.
- Muhammadu Sanusi II, then Emir of Kano.
- Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.
Other prominent members of the delegation were also listed.
This is not a recent social media recollection. It is a contemporaneous newspaper report published on February 27, 2016, immediately after the event.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria, February 27, 2016 — Buhari Visits Ka’aba Chambers.
3. Independent fact-checking evidence
The evidence is further strengthened by AFP Fact Check, an international fact-checking organisation.
In an investigation published on August 31, 2023, AFP examined a photograph falsely presented as showing a Bangladeshi religious figure inside the Holy Kaaba.
AFP traced the original photograph to the February 27, 2016, report by The Guardian Nigeria.
The organisation confirmed that the original photograph showed members of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation during their visit to the interior of the Kaaba.
AFP also reported that footage of Buhari and his delegation entering the Kaaba was broadcast by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) on March 2, 2016.
This provides an additional independent verification of the 2016 incident beyond the original newspaper report.
Source: AFP Fact Check, August 31, 2023 — Doctored photo does not show Bangladesh Islamist leader visiting holiest place for Muslims.
4. What do the two presidential visits have in common?
Both Nigerian Presidents received access to the interior of the Holy Kaaba during visits to Saudi Arabia.
| Details | Muhammadu Buhari | Bola Tinubu |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2016 | 2026 |
| Date | February 26 | November 1 |
| Location | Makkah, Saudi Arabia | Makkah, Saudi Arabia |
| Saudi monarch | King Salman | King Salman |
| Special access | Yes | Yes |
| Members of delegation | Yes | Yes |
| Prayers offered | Yes | Yes |
The historical records establish that Tinubu’s experience has a Nigerian presidential precedent.
5. Why is the claim misleading?
The misleading statement appears to confuse two different things: receiving a rare religious privilege and being the first Nigerian President to receive it.
There is no dispute that Tinubu’s access to the Holy Kaaba is a significant spiritual experience.
However, describing him as the first Nigerian President to enjoy the privilege ignores Buhari’s documented visit in 2016.
The fact that the privilege is rare does not mean it is unprecedented.
FINAL FACT-CHECK VERDICT
CLAIM: Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the first Nigerian President in history to be granted special access to the interior of the Holy Kaaba.
VERDICT: FALSE.
EVIDENCE: Former President Muhammadu Buhari was granted access to the interior of the Holy Kaaba on February 26, 2016, during his official visit to Saudi Arabia. The event was reported by The Guardian Nigeria on February 27, 2016, and independently corroborated by AFP Fact Check in 2023.
ACCURATE POSITION: President Tinubu is the latest Nigerian President documented to have enjoyed this rare privilege, but he is not the first.
Bottom line: Tinubu’s visit is significant, but history must be told accurately. Muhammadu Buhari had already enjoyed the same privilege ten years earlier.
Sources for editorial verification
1. The Guardian Nigeria (February 27, 2016): Buhari Visits Ka’aba Chambers — detailed account of Buhari’s entry, the time, the Saudi King’s order and members of the delegation.
2. AFP Fact Check (August 31, 2023): AFP verifies original photograph of Buhari’s Kaaba visit — independently traced the photograph to Buhari’s 2016 visit and referenced NTA footage.
3. Saudi Press Agency (February 25, 2016): Saudi official report on Buhari’s Umrah visit — confirms Buhari’s visit to Makkah, although this report does not independently document his entry into the Kaaba.
4. Punch Newspapers (November 2, 2026): Tinubu speaks after entering the Kaaba — reports Tinubu’s account of the privilege and his appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s leadership.
5. Okay News (November 2, 2026): Kaaba opened to Tinubu during Makkah visit — reports the November 1 opening and photographs shared by the Presidency.