Two-year Journey to Saudi Arabia for Umrah by a Nigerian Cyclist

After traveling by bicycle for two years, a young Nigerian, Aliyu Abdullahi Bala, has arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah in Makkah and see the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Bala has been in good spirits since he arrived in the Kingdom. He is the first person from Nigeria to do such a journey in modern years.

On behalf of Nigerian Ambassador Yahaya Lawal, representatives from the Consulate General in Jeddah gave Aliyu Abdullahi Bala a warm greeting when he arrived in the city on December 8. “He was given all possible consular assistance, guidance, and encouragement. The consulate facilitated his onward journey on his bicycle to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah,” said Lawal who spoke to Arab News.

In another statement, the Nigerian Embassy said.“Nigerian Mission warmly welcomes the bicycle man from Nigeria into the Kingdom, who left Jos, Plateau State in February 2021, for Umrah in Makkah and a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and arrived in the Kingdom safely in the fulfillment of his vow and mission.”

 Bala expressed his gratitude to Allah in a phone interview arranged by the Arab News. He said, “This was like my journey of a lifetime, it was my dream coming true, all thanks to the Almighty Allah for giving me the courage to perform the important religious rituals, no matter how difficult it was to drive through the holy cities from the western African coast. I am also thankful to the Nigerian Embassy and the Consulate for all the support and moral encouragement.”

The passionate cyclist overcame many difficulties and threats during his hard trip, which started in Nigeria on the western coast of Africa and included stops in Niger, Chad, and Sudan before he reached his destination.

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