Saudi's warn Nigerian Muslims that they face jail sentences if they travel for hajj without visas

SAUDI Arabian authorities have warned Nigerian Muslins that the face the threat of imprisonment and a fine of up to N8.2m ($5,350) if they dare travel to the holy land for the hajj pilgrimage without first obtaining valid visas.

Annually, Nigerian state governments and private individuals spent a total of N136.5bn ($376m) on hajj pilgrimages, representing nearly one third of the country's education budget of N435.01bn ($1.2bn) as Nigeria is one of the top 10 senders of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia with around 100,000 Muslims making the trip each year. In the past, however, many pilgrims have made the trip without obtaining the mandatory visas from the Saudi authorities.

Historically, Nigerian pilgrims have been among the most difficult for the Saudi authorities, as the large number has attracted criminal elements, who have tried to tap into the market. Among the unsavoury characters who have tried to cash in on the lucrative pilgrimage market have been drug traffickers and pimps sending prostitutes to the holy land.

In the past, this has led to the Saudi authorities suspending Nigerians from making the pilgrimage. With preparations for the 2026 hajj pilgrimage already underway as the dates have been fixed for between of Monday, May 25 and Saturday, May 30, the Saudis have warned Nigerians to comply with all their rules.

This latest warning was issued during a virtual meeting between the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (Nahcon). According to Nahcon, Ustaz Abdallah Ash Shihry, the acting director-general and special assistant to the deputy minister in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, stressed the need for strict compliance with all deadlines governing the 2026 exercise.

Under the terms of a timetable that has been agreed between the two countries, in November 2025, they will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Then, January 4, 2026, will act as the final day for camp booking payments and confirmation of service contract packages, and February 1 as the deadline for uploading transport and accommodation contracts on the Nusuk Masar portal.

Saudi authorities then emphasised that May 1 will remain the deadline for visa issuance. Nahcon chairman Professor Abdullahi Usman, assured the Saudi authorities of Nigeria’s commitment to meeting the deadlines and requirements and pledged that the commission would work closely with stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful hajj.