By Matthew Rejoice
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has concluded a three-day mandatory medical screening exercise for intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.
The exercise, which held at the Board’s Permanent Hajj Transit Camp, Bassan Jiwa, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was conducted from Monday, January 12 to Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Chief Information Officer of the board, Ahmad Saleh, disclosed that intending pilgrims were screened for nine major ailments and other conditions that could deter them from performing the religious exercise.
Saleh, in a recent statement listed the conditions to include major organ failure affecting the heart, liver, kidneys or lungs, psychiatric or neurological disorders, active or chronic cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy; tuberculosis; haemorrhagic fever; dementia-related illnesses; and pregnancy at any stage, among others.
He explained that the screening was aimed at determining the physical and mental fitness of intending pilgrims before embarking on the spiritual journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“However, according to the Saudi 2026 Hajj policies on Health matters, intending pilgrims must be free from the Nine (9) ailments that can deter them from performing the Hajj this year.
“The Ailments include; major organs failure (Heart, Liver, Kidney, Lungs), psychiatric/ neurological disorder, chronic/ active cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, tuberculosis, haemorrhagic fever, associated dementia, pregnancy (at all level), amongst others.”
He further added that the exercise was carried out in collaboration with the FCT, Public Health Department and covered intending pilgrims from all six Area Councils of the FCT as well as officials of the Board.
According to him, pilgrims from Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada Area Councils were screened on the first day, while those from Bwari, Kuje and the Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC, were screened on the second day.
He added that the exercise was concluded on the third day with the screening of intending pilgrims from the Board’s Headquarters, Annex and HSS Desks.
The information officer recalled that the Saudi authorities, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON, had directed all State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to conduct comprehensive medical screening for intending pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
He noted that intending pilgrims are required to obtain a Medical Certificate of Fitness duly signed by a qualified medical doctor and upload it on the Nusuk-Masar platform as a prerequisite for visa issuance.
Meanwhile, over 150 intending Pilgrims were said to have purchased form in readiness to participate in the 2025 Christian Pilgrimage in Jordan and Israel.
The Director, FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Gloria Dandam, told journalists in Abuja that about 530 intending pilgrims are required to make a batch to participate in the pilgrimage.
