Saudi Arabia has updated its tourist eVisa programme for 2026, limiting eligibility in Africa to only three countries as part of its list of 66 nations whose citizens can apply through the Kingdom’s online visa platform.

The move leaves most African countries, including Nigeria, outside the simplified entry scheme.

The electronic visa allows eligible travellers to visit Saudi Arabia for tourism, leisure activities, family visits and Umrah, excluding the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Applications are completed online, eliminating the need for embassy visits and lengthy visa processing.

Saudi authorities said the eVisa forms part of ongoing efforts to expand tourism, attract international visitors and simplify travel procedures through a fully digital application system. The visa is available only to citizens of approved countries and territories listed on the Kingdom’s official tourism portal.

Below is the list of African countries eligible for Saudi Arabia’s eVisa.

1. Mauritius

2. Seychelles

3. South Africa

Anita Baaki, a physiotherapist friend and colleague of Mary Habila, the nurse attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Works, has narrated the events leading to Habila’s death.

Her narration was contained in a sworn affidavit filed before the Ebonyi State High Court on Wednesday.

According to Baaki, a Benue citizen, she travelled with Habila and other ministry officials from Abuja to Ebonyi State on June 24, 2026, for an official assignment under the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

Baaki disclosed that they were accommodated in separate but adjoining rooms in a staff chalet within the minister’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The deceased’s friend maintained that the chalet was designated for ministry staff and associates and was not the minister’s personal residence, stressing that she last saw Habila alive on the evening of June 26 after she returned from having her hair done.

According to her, Habila stopped by her room to show off her new hairstyle before they chatted and joked for a while.

“Habila told me she was tired and wanted to take a shower before sleeping. That was the last time I saw her alive,” Baaki stated in the affidavit.

The physiotherapist said she became terrified the following morning when Habila did not come out of her room as expected, emphasising that repeated calls to Habila’s phone went unanswered, prompting her to knock on the door.

She revealed that when there was no response and the room remained locked from the inside, she alerted a domestic staff member to search the premises, noting that after Habila could not be found elsewhere, other staff members were informed and the room was forced open.

The Benue-born physiotherapist reiterated that Habila was found lying unconscious on the floor near the entrance of the room, adding that she was immediately taken to the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was dead on arrival.

Baaki said her statement was made voluntarily and without coercion to assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

Police investigations are ongoing, while lawyers representing the Minister of Works have requested a comprehensive forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death before Habila’s remains are released for burial.

A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for advertising and offering cannabis sativa for sale on social media.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said Idris was arrested on April 22, 2026, by operatives of its Kano Strategic Command after a video of him promoting cannabis for sale went viral online.

Delivering judgement, Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, convicted the defendant and ordered that the prison term take effect from July 14, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NDLEA’s Media and Advocacy Officer in Kano, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari, described the ruling as a landmark judgement and a strong warning to those using social media to promote or sell illicit drugs.

The Kano State Commander of the NDLEA, CN DY Lawal, said the judgement had strengthened the agency’s resolve to tackle drug-related offences.

“This judgement reinforces our determination to confront drug offenders who brazenly promote illegal substances on public platforms. We will continue to act swiftly on credible intelligence and ensure offenders are brought to justice,” he said.