The Lagos State Government has commenced medical screening for residents intending to participate in the 2026 holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The exercise was confirmed on Tuesday in a statement by the Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin. He said the screening will run from January 14 to January 24, 2026.

Ajomagberin explained that the programme, coordinated by the Board’s medical team led by Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, will be conducted across 10 designated centres in the state to ensure easy access and efficient operations.

Under the arrangement, local government areas have been grouped and assigned to specific venues, including Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Ibeju-Lekki, Badagry, Surulere, Ikorodu, Alimosho, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and selected facilities at LASUTH in Ikeja.

He stressed that participation in the medical screening is mandatory for all intending pilgrims, warning that failure to comply would result in disqualification from obtaining a Saudi visa.

In a related development, the Board has appointed Local Government Schedule Officers to oversee and coordinate pilgrims’ welfare in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

Ajomagberin said the appointments were approved by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, and announced during a meeting at the Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja.

He urged the newly appointed officers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, assuring that the state government is committed to ensuring a safe, orderly and comfortable pilgrimage for Lagos pilgrims.