The Lagos State Government, in fulfilment of its pledge to the state’s 1,600 pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

This was disclosed on Saturday by the Amir-ul-Hajj and Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, during a pre-Mina-Arafah special prayer session organised by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in Makkah. The prayer was held to seek Allah’s favour and mercy for the pilgrims ahead of their movement to Mina for the main Hajj rites on Sunday.

Hon. Layode informed the pilgrims that, apart from paying for their Hady (sacrificial ram) and Ziyarah (visitation to historical sites) in both Madinah and Makkah, the monetary gift of 200 Saudi Riyals from the Governor and his deputy would cover the refund for Ihram clothing and the stipend for Arafah Day.

He said the Governor ensured the money was released and brought to the Kingdom as proof of his love and commitment to the pilgrims’ comfort and well-being. The gesture, he added, was to encourage an acceptable, fulfilling, and rewarding spiritual exercise. He also urged the pilgrims to exhibit a high sense of responsibility, discipline, and endurance.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, stated that the main Hajj rites would take place at Mashair (Mina, Arafah, Muzdalifah, and Jamarat).

According to him, the pilgrims will move from Makkah to Mina on Sunday to begin the rites on Monday, 8th Dhul Hijjah which is May 25 , from where they will proceed to Mount Arafah on Tuesday, 9th Dhul Hijjah on May 26. After completing the Arafah rites, they will proceed to Muzdalifah, where they will observe Maghrib and Isha prayers and stay briefly to pick 49 pebbles before proceeding to Jamarat via Mina to stone Shaytan between the 10th and 12th of Dhul Hijjah.

He emphasised that activities at these sites are integral parts of the Hajj obligations that every pilgrim must participate in. He admonished the pilgrims to preserve themselves well in order to have the strength and capability to perform the tasks as prescribed by the Holy Prophet.

He also appealed to the pilgrims to be law-abiding, obey instructions from officials, and avoid acts that could tarnish the image of Nigeria and its people.

The prayer session was led by the Chief Missioner of the Ikwan Muslim Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Lawal. In attendance were the Board Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin; members of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee; pilgrims; and other stakeholders.