Modibbo Umar, charge d’affaires at the Nigerian embassy in Riyad, says pilgrims performing the 2025 hajj without a permit are liable to a 100,000 riyals fine, a 10-year ban and deportation.

Mr Umar said this at the hajj 2025 pre-Arafat stakeholders’ meeting organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in Mecca on Monday.

He stated during the 2024 hajj, the fine for illegally performing pilgrimage without a permit was 50,000 riyals.

He, therefore, urged Nigerian pilgrims to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of their host, Saudi authorities.

“We should also let our people around here know that the Saudi authorities this year have sent very strong signals that hajj without a permit will not be condoned.

“They have raised the stake. Last year, the fine for illegally performing hajj without a permit was 50,000 riyals, but this time around, their message is 100,000 riyals, including deportation and being banned from the kingdom for 10 years. So, please, I urge you to tell our people all this,” he said.

Mr Umar also urged Nigerian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria in order to leave a better country for future generations.

“We would like to use this opportunity to call on all our pilgrims who are in this holy session of the hajj to pray for our country and Muslims all over the world. May we have a world that is far better than what it is now for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

NAHCON chairman Abdullahi Saleh said the common goal of the Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ meeting was to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims receive the benefits and services they deserve.

(NAN)