The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed its readiness to expand its bilateral relations with Nigeria to other areas of the economy.

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia had a long history of cordial relationship dating back to centuries.

Both countries are members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Saudi Arabia also offers scholarships to Nigerian students to study in the kingdom.

Though the relations between both countries are hajj-driven, with thousands of Nigerian Muslims embarking on spiritual journeys annually to the kingdom for Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia said it was ready to expand the ties to other critical areas, including agriculture, oil and gas.

Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria, Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, stated this at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.