The Lagos State Government has officially initiated a compulsory medical screening exercise for all residents who intend to perform the Holy Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Saudi Arabia in 2026. This early preparatory step underscores the state's commitment to ensuring the health and safety of its pilgrims.
Schedule and Screening Centres Across Lagos
The exercise was announced by the Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin. According to the detailed schedule prepared by the medical team led by Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, the screening is set to run from Wednesday, January 14, 2026, to Saturday, January 24, 2026.
To ensure easy access for all intending pilgrims, the state has established ten screening centres, grouping Local Government Areas under specific health facilities. The designated sites are:
- Agege & Ifako-Ijaiye LGAs: Agege LGA Secretariat/General Hospital, Orile-Agege.
- Ikeja & Oshodi-Isolo: Ikeja LGA Secretariat/BT Diagnostic Center, LASUTH, Ikeja.
- Shomolu & Mushin: Mushin LGA Secretariat/Bukyano Medical Diagnostic/BT Diagnostic, LASUTH, Ikeja.
- Eti-Osa, Epe & Ibeju-Lekki: General Hospital, Ibeju-Lekki.
- Badagry & Ojo: General Hospital, Badagry.
- Amuwo-Odofin, Apapa & Ajeromi-Ifelodun: Ajeromi LGA Secretariat/Bukyano Medical Diagnostic.
- Surulere, Lagos Mainland & Lagos Island: Surulere LGA Secretariat/Bukyano Medical Diagnostic.
- Ikorodu & Kosofe: Ikorodu LGA Secretariat/General Hospital Ikorodu.
- Alimosho: Alimosho LGA Secretariat/Bukyano Diagnostic.
- Government Officials: Adeyemi-Bero/BT Diagnostic LASUTH, Ikeja.
Mandatory Participation and Visa Warning
Mr Ajomagberin issued a stern warning to all intending pilgrims, emphasising that participation in the medical screening is not optional. He stated clearly that any pilgrim who fails to present themselves for this screening will be automatically denied a visa by the Saudi Arabian embassy. This makes the exercise a critical step for anyone planning to undertake the spiritual journey.
Appointment of Local Government Coordinators
In a related development, the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has appointed Local Government Schedule Officers to oversee the welfare of pilgrims. Their responsibility will span from the preparatory stages in Nigeria to the pilgrimage period in Saudi Arabia.
The appointments were approved by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, during a meeting at the Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja. The meeting was also attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Hon. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe.
The appointed coordinators for the various Local Government Areas are:
- Sanusi-Alaka Hajara (Agege)
- Kadiri Kudirat Oluwatoyin (Ajeromi)
- Bello Aminat Yetunde (Alimosho)
- Oladipupo Sherifat Abeni (Amuwo-Odofin)
- Mumeen Rabiu Adebayo (Apapa)
- Gafar Mojeed (Badagry)
- Gatta Tajudeen Abiola (Epe/Eti-Osa)
- Adeoye Rohimot (Ifako-Ijaiye)
- Ige Rasaq Kolade (Ikeja)
- Murtador Morenikeji Saudat (Officials)
- Shitta Riskat O. (Ikorodu)
- Hassan Sikirat Temitope (Kosofe)
- Lawal Abubakar Abolore (Lagos Island)
- Muhammed Rukayat (Lagos Mainland)
- Oshile Mudirat Bukola (Mushin)
- Akinyemi Suraju (Ojo)
- Famosa Olabisi Ibironke (Oshodi-Isolo)
- Coker Esther (Shomolu)
- Ganiu Ridwan Abiola (Surulere)
- Hassan Taofeek (JAIZ/NIA/ROYAL)
The Board Secretary urged these officers to demonstrate the highest level of commitment to their roles. He stressed that the state government is deeply invested in providing a conducive environment for pilgrims to fulfil their spiritual obligations. The government will not tolerate any actions that could compromise this solemn commitment to the welfare of its citizens undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.
