2025 Hajj: Lagos Bans Pregnant Women from Pilgrimage

Pregnant women are officially prohibited from taking part in this year’s Hajj trip by the Lagos State Government, citing health and concerns.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, made the statement in Badagry on Wednesday. He emphasized that pregnant women’s health is at serious risk due to the demanding nature of the journey.

State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards have been directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) not to register pregnant women for the pilgrimage, and Layode pointed out that the state’s action is in line with this order.

Professor Abubakar Yagawal, the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS) for NAHCON, reaffirmed the policy in support of the directive while discussing the pilgrimage’s preparations, which include the distribution of Yellow Cards to different states and the opening of medical clinics in Makkah and Madinah.

The Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs is also carrying out Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s direction, Layode said, who has underlined the importance of ensuring that only those who are medically fit are permitted to make the pilgrimage.

During the Lagos House in Marina’s First Family of Lagos State and Ministry of Home Affairs Eid-el-Fitr celebration, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated: “Those who are traveling to Makkah will start to travel by May.” Make sure you’re healthy, please. Stay home and pray in Nigeria instead of traveling for the 2025 Hajj if you are sick.

For pregnant women, performing the Hajj is extremely risky and delicate, according to the Commissioner for Home Affairs.

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The procedures are exacting.” It is not appropriate for an expectant mother to go through the Tawaf, Safa, or Marwah from Medina into Makkah. Because they were born in Saudi Arabia, it has nothing to do with whether a child is named after a prophet or fashion.

According to the commissioner, people have allegedly submitted their spouses’ urine for medical testing in the past, and some women have tried to conceal their pregnancies in order to participate in the pilgrimage.

The state government has implemented sophisticated medical screening procedures to stop these dishonest acts, such as stationing mobile diagnostic vans ready to identify tuberculosis and pregnancy at certain screening locations.