Dr Modibbo Umar, Charge De Affaires, Nigerian Embassy, Riyad, says pilgrims performing the 2025 Hajj without permit are liable to 100,000 riyals fine, 10 years ban and deportation.
When converted, 100,000 Saudi riyal is equal to N42.3 million, or 26,655 U.S. Dollars.
Umar said this at the Hajj 2025 Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Makkah on Monday.
The envoy recalled that during the 2024 Hajj, the fine for illegally performing Hajj 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 have very strong advice for our pilgrims. We need to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of our hosts for the duration of our pilgrimage here.
“We should also let our people around here know that the Saudi authorities this year have sent very strong signals that Hajj without 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.
The Charge De Affaires also urged Nigerian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria in order to leave a better country for future generation.
“We will 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 grand children,” he said
In his remarks, the Chairman, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, said the common goal of the Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ meeting was to ensure that Nigeria pilgrims get the benefits and services which they deserve.
According to Saleh, as stakeholders, our job is like that of a servant. We are servants to the Nigerian pilgrims. They are the reason why we are here today.
“We have to serve them to the best of our ability because they have paid for that.
“Whether you are from the states, service provider, medical teams, security, media or even from the NAHCON staff, your engagement in Hajj operation is like a contract to serve the pilgrims.”
