Nigerian pilgrims who attempt to perform the 2025 Hajj without an official permit risk facing severe penalties including a fine of 100,000 riyals, deportation, and a 10-year ban from entering Saudi Arabia, the Nigerian Embassy in Riyadh has warned.
Dr. Modibbo Umar, Nigeria’s Charge D’Affaires in Saudi Arabia, gave the warning at the Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, in Makkah on Monday. The event was aimed at reviewing ongoing arrangements and ensuring smooth coordination ahead of the core Hajj rites.
Umar disclosed that Saudi authorities had doubled the fine for illegal Hajj participation from 50,000 riyals in 2024 to 100,000 riyals in 2025—approximately ₦33 million at current exchange rates.
“We have received strong signals from the Saudi authorities that Hajj without a permit will no longer be tolerated,” Umar stressed. “Violators will face a heavy fine, immediate deportation, and a 10-year ban from re-entry.”
He urged Nigerian pilgrims and their coordinators to strictly adhere to Saudi regulations, emphasizing that respecting the host country’s laws was not only necessary for safety but a moral obligation.
“Let us not only obey but also inform others who may be unaware. We’re in a holy land, and our actions must reflect discipline and respect,” Umar said.
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He also encouraged pilgrims to use this sacred season to pray for peace and prosperity in Nigeria and across the Muslim world.
In his address, NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh reminded stakeholders that their role was to serve the pilgrims who had entrusted them with their welfare.
“Whether you are with a state board, service provider, medical team, security outfit, media, or NAHCON staff, remember—we are all here to serve,” Saleh said.
He stressed teamwork and coordination as essential to the success of the Hajj operation. “Pilgrims are not just our guests; they are the guests of Allah. We must serve them with excellence and humility,” he added.
NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, provided additional insight into the purpose of the Pre-Arafat meeting.
He explained that the session allowed stakeholders to review logistics, share updates, raise concerns, and fine-tune preparations before pilgrims proceed to the sacred sites of Arafat and Mina.
“This tradition of holding a pre-Arafat session ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page. It is both a planning and troubleshooting forum,” Elegushi said.
With Hajj 2025 already underway, Nigerian officials are working round the clock to ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims while preventing avoidable infractions that could tarnish the image of the country or endanger its citizens.
The Saudi government has tightened regulations this year to manage crowd safety and security. Only pilgrims with verified permits will be allowed to access the holy sites during the official Hajj period.
NAN
