Jigawa Begins Medical Screening for 2026 Hajj Pilgrims
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced medical screening for intending pilgrims as part of its early operational preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise, joining several other Nigerian states that have either begun or concluded similar health screening programs nationwide.
The screening exercise, conducted at the Hadejia General Hospital, is aimed at ensuring that only medically fit pilgrims from the state are cleared to participate in the pilgrimage, in strict compliance with health and safety requirements prescribed by Saudi Arabian authorities.
Speaking at the venue, the Director General of the Board, Umar Labbo, said the initiative reflects Jigawa State’s commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of its pilgrims while aligning fully with international Hajj health standards. He stressed that medical fitness remains a critical eligibility criterion for participation in the pilgrimage.
Labbo assured that the screening process would be carried out with full transparency and fairness, noting that no individual would receive preferential treatment. He described the exercise as a key risk-mitigation measure designed to reduce the incidence of health-related emergencies during the Hajj.
Across the country, several state pilgrims’ welfare boards have already commenced or concluded medical screening for their contingents, as part of coordinated national efforts to meet Saudi Arabia’s health compliance framework for the 2026 Hajj.
The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining momentum in its Hajj preparations, adding that strict adherence to Saudi regulations remains essential to ensuring hitch-free participation for Nigerian pilgrims.
