The Lagos State Government through the Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Board has reaffirmed the State’s commitment in ensuring the safety, welfare, and spiritual rebirth of all its pilgrims to this year’s hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Governor Sanwo – Olu, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Olarenwaju Ibrahim Layode stated this on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026, while addressing the state 1,600 pilgrims at a ONE – DAY SEMINAR FOR 2026 HAJJ INTENDING PILGRIMS, held at the LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
He urged them not to take all lessons learnt during the seminar for granted as it would be beneficial to them during various stages of the hajj process.
The Governor disclosed that over the years, the government have been able to improve all aspects of the Hajj Operations bordering on security, decent accommodation that is closed to Hiram in Mecca and Medina, delicious food, ensuring efficient and effective airlift, quality medical arrangements, affordable transportation and visitation to strategic Islamic historical sites in the holy land.
He told the gathering in his address that the Leader of the Hajj Delegation, who also double as the Commissioner for Home Affairs, and other officials have been working closely with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to ensure a seamless and hitch – free hajj for Lagos State and to also ensure that no pilgrim is stranded in the holy land.
He urged the pilgrims to be law – abiding, discipline and respect the culture and tradition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and avoid vices that will dent the image of the State and that of Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo – Olu adviced the 1,600 pilgrims to avoid heated and unnecessary argument and asked them not to engage in any political debates or any form of protest in the holy land. As Hajj is specifically a platform for the worship of Almighty Allah and spiritual fulfilment.
The Governor then congratulates and expressed his gratitude to the leader of the Hajj delegation, the Chairman and members of the Ad – Hoc committte, Board Secretary and the entire team of Lagos State for their steadfastness, hardwork and dedication exhibited in carrying out this sacred assignment.
In conclusion, Governor Sanwo – Olu implored the pilgrims to remember Lagos State, Nigeria and its people in their various prayers. He urged them to pray for the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria, security across the land, economic stability and prosperity for the citizens and for all levels of leadership in the country that Allah may grant them strength and wisdom to serve with justice and the fear of Almighty Allah.
For a hitch – free hajj, efficient, prompt intervention, effective dialogue, strategic communications, quick response in solving any problem that arise in the holy land, the Special Adviser on Islamic Matters / Chairman, 2026 Hajj Ad – Hoc Committee, introduced all the heads of the various sub – committees to the pilgrims one after the other . This he said is to know and contact them during the hajj operations if the need arises.
He specifically thanked all those who have engaged the pilgrims and delivered various sermons in all the Local Government Areas of the State in sensitizing them to know the essence of hajj.
The Immigration Service in their short message by the Commander, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, through the Head Immigration Activities at the Hajj Camp, advised the pilgrims to handle and guide their Passport diligently, avoid placing the passport near water and they should not place their passport near keys as this can scratch sensitive area of the passport.
He advised that they should make sure that their passport is endorsed, stamped at the point of departure and ensured same at point of arrival. He also advised them to be careful in handling their passport and to avoid it been lost in transit as this will have a grave consequence He urged them to be good ambassadors of Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.
On its part the officials of the NDLEA advised the pilgrims not to be in contact with any form of Narcotics. In other not to run foul of the Saudi’s justice system, they should avoid traveling with narcotics, drugs, stimulants, tranquilizers, sleeping pills as these are under control.
He also advised them that if they have any health challenges they should endeavor to talk with the medical team, who knows all the drugs that are under International control.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, represented by CSP Raji, the Chief Imam of Lagos State Police Command, said as the pilgrims begins their journey towards the holy land to meet and worship their makers, he urged them to be good ambassadors of Lagos State, good representatives of Nigerian government and their family.
He informed the gathering that any of the pilgrims who engage in any forms of crime in the holy land would be handed over to the Saudi authorities for prosecution based on their own law and punishment melted out strictly under their law which stipulates beheading, amputation or death penalty based on the gravity of the offence committed.
The Commissioner of Police also stated that if the offence is local, the arrest, trial and prosecution resides with the Nigerian government, when the hajj is completed the punishment would be delayed pending the offender arrival in Nigeria, where the security operatives would be waiting for him or her at the airport to effect his or her arrest for onward trial and prosecution in accordance with the spirit and letters of Nigerian law as applicable.
In his lecture, theme: The Significant of Hajj In The Life Of A Muslim, the guest speaker, Alhaji Luqman Abdul Rasaq Abdul Mubarak, the Chief Missioner, Ansar – ud – Deen Society of Nigeria ( AUD), Igbogbo Branch, Lagos in the course of his lecture theme: Significance Of Hajj In The Life Of A Muslim, disclosed that the significance of Hajj is knowing the oneness and worthiness of Almighty Allah to human existence. To complete and perfect our religion and worship Almighty Allah in his entirety.
To follow and obey all the laws, commandments as stated in the Holy Quaran and also to follow the teachings, characters, and qualities of the Holy Prophet Muhammed.
Part of the Significance is also to upgrade our moral level and how we behave among ourselves, our family, religious group which is the lesson of the hajj.
In conclusion, the Chief Missioner said we should engage in sacrifice as this teaches us to be a cheerful givers and to assist one another in term of needs and be a good neighbors.
A total number of 1,600 pilgrims from Lagos State will be performing this year’s hajj. As a gesture, Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu through the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, unveiled various welfare package to the admirations of the pilgrims in ensuring their comfortability and smooth stay in the the holy land.
