Hajj 2025: NAHCON issues health advisory to Nigerian pilgrims after heatwave alert

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has advised pilgrims to stay in their tents from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to soaring daytime temperatures during the pilgrimage.

NAHCON chairman Abdullahi Saleh gave the advice while speaking to journalists in Makkah on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia, through its National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), issued heatwave warnings for Hajj 2025 on Sunday, urging pilgrims to take precautions amid soaring daytime temperatures between 40°C and 47°C.

The NCM forecasted challenging weather, including high temperatures, potential thunderstorms, and reduced visibility.

Mr Saleh said NAHCON had a stakeholders’ meeting where all the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards were mandated to inform their pilgrims that no pilgrim would be allowed out of their tents in Mina and Arafat due to soaring temperatures.

“Yesterday, we called all the stakeholders. We met with them and mandated them to announce and tell their people that nobody is allowed to be out of the tent from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“It is not advised to go out because the temperature is not normal this year. We also advised them to continue drinking water.

“If it is necessary to be outside, let them go with water in hand. Let them take their umbrellas and use them just because the temperature is not normal,” Mr Saleh said.

The NAHCON chairman urged the media to help the commission disseminate the information to pilgrims.

Approximately 63,000 Nigerian pilgrims are expected for the 2025 Hajj.

(NAN)