The Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has urged all Nigerian pilgrims to strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of the kingdom, warning that violation may attract severe penalties of 100,000 Saudi riyals.
Dr Ibrahim Umar, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Riyadh, advised at the 2025 Pre-Arafat meeting held in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The envoy recalled that in the 2024 Hajj, the fine for illegally performing Hajj without a permit was 50,000 riyals, urging Nigerian pilgrims to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of their hosts.
“There is no Hajj without a permit,” Dr. Umar stated firmly. “The Saudi authorities have raised the stakes. Any pilgrim caught attempting to perform Hajj without a permit this year risks a fine of 100,000 riyals, immediate deportation, and a 10-year ban from entering the kingdom.”
He commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and other stakeholders for their efforts, calling for greater coordination and discipline to project a positive national image.
He also appealed to religious leaders and officials across the states to intensify public awareness campaigns ahead of the sacred rites.
“We are here to serve our pilgrims,” he added. “We are working tirelessly with Saudi authorities to ensure smooth operations, while also providing the necessary consular assistance to every Nigerian pilgrim until the end of the Hajj.”
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, praised staff for their dedication and urged them to sustain the high standard of service already established as the Hajj rites gathered momentum
Professor Abdullahi urged all involved to approach the upcoming five-day sacred Hajj period with unwavering commitment and teamwork.
NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, assured the pilgrims that arrangements were ongoing to ensure they receive their Nusuk cards, an access permit to critical Hajj areas, for full participation.
Regarding the visa closure, he stated that the Saudi authorities implemented a suspension affecting several countries, including Nigeria. However, Nigeria experienced fewer disruptions compared to others.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management, and Finance, Prince Aliu Abdulrazak, reiterated NAHCON’s commitment to pilgrims’ welfare and expressed confidence that the resolutions of the meeting would enhance service delivery.
The annual Pre-Arafat Meeting is a strategic gathering that brings together key stakeholders involved in the Hajj operations to assess readiness, strengthen coordination, and address critical issues ahead of the Day of Arafat.
The Arafat Day is the most significant phase of the pilgrimage, when all pilgrims gather on a massive land area, called Arafat, for a day-long deeper devotion and seeking closeness with the creator.
The meeting provides a platform for officials, service providers, security personnel, medical teams, and religious leaders to align on logistics, safety protocols, crowd management, and welfare services.
RN
