Hundreds of Nigerian Muslims preparing for the sacred Umrah pilgrimage have suffered major financial losses after the escalating US–Iran war disrupted international flights across the Middle East.
The sudden suspension of air travel has stranded intending pilgrims and forced many travel agents to seek rescheduling instead of refunds.
The crisis began after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks across several Middle Eastern countries.
The conflict forced multiple nations to partially close their airspace, affecting major international travel routes used by pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia.
Because of the tension, several global airlines—including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Air France, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir and Ethiopian Airlines—suspended flights across the region.
These cancellations disrupted travel plans for many Nigerians who had already secured visas, booked flights, and paid for accommodation in Mecca and Medina for the Ramadan Umrah pilgrimage.
One government official from Ilorin, Kwara State, who planned to travel with three others on March 4, said the group had already paid heavily for the pilgrimage before flights were cancelled.
According to him, each pilgrim spent about 12,500 Saudi riyals (around N5 million) on hotel accommodation in Mecca alone.
Others reportedly paid as much as 7,500 riyals per night for hotels in Medina, booking multiple nights in advance.
“We had paid for everything including visa, flight tickets and accommodation.
Now we are stranded because the airline cancelled our flight and says we can only reschedule, not get a refund,” he explained.
In Osun State, a butcher who planned the pilgrimage with his wife said he spent more than N13 million on travel arrangements before the cancellation of Qatar Airways flights from Lagos.
Islamic clerics and business owners also confirmed similar experiences, saying the disruption has affected both spiritual plans and commercial activities tied to Ramadan and Sallah celebrations.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians who already arrived in Saudi Arabia are struggling with extended hotel bills due to cancelled return flights.
A businessman currently in Mecca said pilgrims are helping each other financially to cover accommodation costs as travel uncertainty continues.
Although Saudi Arabia has not closed its airspace, disruptions at major international transit hubs like Dubai and Doha continue to affect global travel routes.
