The Lagos State Government has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to permit participating states to establish medical clinics in pilgrims’ hotels in Saudi Arabia to ensure quicker treatment of minor illnesses.
The Punch reported that the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Layode, made the proposal when a pre-2027 Hajj assessment team from NAHCON, led by its Commissioner of Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, visited the state last week.
Layode said the proposed clinics would allow medical personnel accompanying state contingents to administer first aid and attend to minor health complaints without referring pilgrims to NAHCON facilities or Saudi hospitals.
He said Lagos was ready to deploy its medical resources but needed NAHCON’s approval to operate the clinics within hotels.
The commissioner also urged NAHCON to create a mechanism for states to take approved medicines into Saudi Arabia for their pilgrims.
He said Lagos had been prevented from bringing drugs it purchased for pilgrims into the country during the 2026 Hajj despite the expenditure incurred.
He said the requests were informed by challenges experienced during the 2026 pilgrimage, particularly regarding medical services, accommodation and general welfare.
Layode criticised the facilities provided by Muassasah at Arafat, describing the tents and other arrangements as substandard and unsuitable for pilgrims, which he said contributed to illnesses and complaints.
Layode also expressed dissatisfaction with the airline used by the Lagos contingent, Flynas, saying the aircraft deployed for the pilgrims lacked adequate space and restroom facilities.
He stressed the need for improved welfare arrangements ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
The state government further appealed for an increase in its pilgrim allocation, saying the 1,224 slots currently assigned to Lagos would not meet demand.
Layode requested at least 2,500 slots, citing the state’s previous performance and the projected number of intending pilgrims.
“Lagos has consistently performed well in Hajj operations. Before my predecessor, Prince Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi, left office, he airlifted 3,661 pilgrims in the 2023 operations alone,” he said.
“Since I assumed office in 2024, we have sustained the tempo. We airlifted 1,600 pilgrims in 2026, and we are already projecting not less than 2,000 intending pilgrims for 2027. I, therefore, appeal to NAHCON to reconsider Lagos and allocate additional slots to us.”
Layode also asked NAHCON to retain the existing luggage arrangement for the 2027 pilgrimage, under which pilgrims can travel with two 23kg main bags and an 8kg hand luggage.
He said the arrangement was more convenient than the previous single 32kg bag.
Responding, Elegushi said the NAHCON delegation visited Lagos to brief the state on changes in Hajj administration following reforms introduced by the Saudi Arabian Government.
He explained that the reforms were linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and had increased private-sector involvement in Hajj operations, while the Saudi Government was moving towards a stronger regulatory and supervisory role.
Elegushi said the changes meant Nigerian states would need to reconsider their approach to Hajj administration, including the possibility of establishing companies to operate as tour operators.
However, he noted that individual states might lack the capacity to establish such companies alone and suggested that South-West states could form a joint private company.
The NAHCON commissioner commended Lagos for its longstanding focus on pilgrims’ welfare, noting that the tradition dated back to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure as governor of the state.
He urged the state to maintain and improve its arrangements for pilgrims.
Elegushi also advised Lagos to educate pilgrims on the appropriate use of hospitals in Saudi Arabia and discourage indiscriminate use of the facilities.
He added that NAHCON had approved two companies to manufacture pilgrims’ bags to ensure quality and prevent the distribution of substandard bags.
