President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says God has answered his prayer to continue in office beyond 2027.

Tinubu disclosed this on Monday while reflecting on his just concluded Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia, where he was granted rare privilege to lead Nigeria’s delegation to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah.

The Custodian of the Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, granted the access.

Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram led the President into the Ka’abah.

Tinubu thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the honour, describing it as historic and a reflection of strong Nigeria-Saudi ties.

He said: “I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity.

“We are all facing challenges and hostility around us. We will overcome them with faith in God Almighty.”

At the Ka’abah, Tinubu said he prayed for wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians.

“It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka’abah. This is history. Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted. Before the 2023 election, I did the same thing. I asked Allah to bless my Umrah then, and He did. And I promised that I would come back to thank Him,” he said.

Quoting Surah Aal-Imran Verse 26, Tinubu said power belongs to Allah who gives and takes as He wills.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority,” he said.

He said his emergence as President out of millions was a favour from God that must be matched with service.

“I have faith in that, and I believe extremely well that He has done me and my country a great favour. Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being.”

Tinubu said his commitment to Project Nigeria is higher, promising policies that promote prosperity and development.

“My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country,” he said.

On economy, he said foundation is solid and Nigeria has come out of dark tunnel.

“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he stated, adding that investment in youths must be prioritised.