By Sarah NEGEDU
The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board will from Monday, 12 January 2026, begin compulsory medical screening for all intending pilgrims ahead of this year’s Hajj.
A statement by the Board’s spokesperson, Muhammad Aliyu, said the screening will hold at the FCT Permanent Hajj Camp in Basan Jiwa and is a key requirement for visa issuance.
According to him, “the screening would enable the board to determine the health status of all intending pilgrims which is one of the major equipments for the issuance of visa by Saudi Arabia this year.”
Consequently, the board fixed Monday, 12/01/2026, for intending pilgrims from Gwagwalada, Kwali and Abaji Area Councils, while those from Kuje, Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Council will be screened on Tuesday, 13/01/2026.
Pilgrims who registered through the Headquarters, JAIZ and Annex are scheduled for Wednesday, 14/01/2026.
The statement noted that “the compulsory medical screening exercise would be conducted from 8 o’clock in the morning each day,” warning that pilgrims without proof of screening will not be cleared for visa processing.
The Board also cautioned intending pilgrims who have not returned their completed application forms or submitted their international passports to do so immediately.
It also warned all intending pilgrims who are yet to return their completed application forms or submit their international Passports to do so immediately to enable the Board commence the process of their travel documents.
Meanwhile, the board will also commence its first phase of orientation for 2026 intending pilgrims this weekend.
According to the statement, “the first phase of the orientation exercise is billed to take place on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January 2026 at the FCT Permanent Hajj camp located at Basan Jiwa close to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.”
The spokesperson said Islamic scholars have already been mobilised for the programme. He explained that “the exercise would be conducted in phases and in seven languages as usual to enable the Intending Pilgrims get acquainted with the hajj rites as well as new policies introduced for this year’s Hajj by the Saudi Authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.”
Aliyu added that the Board had developed strategies to prepare pilgrims for the journey, noting that “new policies were introduced by the Saudi Arabian government this year which are more challenging to the success of the journey.”
He advised intending pilgrims to participate fully in the sessions to enhance their knowledge and fulfil their obligations in line with Islamic requirements.
