In a bid to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, have fully sponsored the mandatory medical screening for the State’s 2025 Hajj pilgrims.
The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, during the official flag-off of the screening exercise at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, Ajarah, on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Hon. Layode, who also serves as the State’s Amir-ul-Hajj, disclosed that doctors and medical experts from general hospitals across Lagos have been deployed to conduct comprehensive tests to determine the health status of each pilgrim. According to him, this is in line with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s directive that all intending pilgrims must be medically certified before embarking on the physically demanding spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia.
“Samples including blood and urine will be collected and examined at designated hospitals. The results will guide how best to manage the health of each pilgrim during their stay in the Holy Land,” Layode stated.
He noted that the initiative, which would have cost each pilgrim ₦50,000 as was the case last year, has been fully funded by the State Government. The gesture comes as pilgrims already face a steep Hajj fare of ₦8,784,085.59.
To ensure wider accessibility, the screening exercise has been decentralized with ten designated screening centers spread across the state. Pilgrims from various local governments will be screened and tested at the closest centers between April 19 and May 2, 2025.
According to the commissioner, a total of 1,400 pilgrims from Lagos will be participating in the Hajj this year. He issued a stern warning that any pilgrim who fails to undergo the screening will not be allowed to travel.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Coordinator of the Medical Screening Exercise and Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programs (DMAT/P) in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, said that additional tests have been introduced this year to further enhance the exercise. These include tests for Tuberculosis (TB), Electrolyte and Urea + Creatinine (E & U + Cr), in addition to HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Urinalysis, Full Blood Count (FBC), and pregnancy tests for women.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin, lauded the initiative as unprecedented and urged all intending pilgrims to take full advantage of the opportunity.
The flag-off ceremony was also attended by members of the Central Working Committee for the 2025 Hajj, including Prof. Kabir Paramole, Alhaji Yusuf Ara, and former Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Adeniyi Okoya.
