Kano tightens 2026 Hajj process, sets September for passport ultimatum

The Director-General of the Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, who spoke in Kano on Monday, warned that anyone who fails to comply will lose their Hajj allocation.

Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle said pilgrims who have completed payment for the 2026 Hajj but are yet to submit their e-passports risk forfeiting their slots, adding that affected applicants would receive refunds while the vacancies would be offered to qualified candidates on the waiting list.

“After September 5, any pilgrim who fails to submit a passport will lose the slot. We already have over 200 people on the waiting list with their passports and other documents ready,” Matawalle said.

The DG explained that the board was racing to meet the timetable set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), noting that any unused allocation after September 10 could be withdrawn and redistributed to other states.

Matawalle disclosed that Kano has more than 200 standby pilgrims who have fulfilled all documentation requirements, including the submission of bank cheques exceeding ₦7.6 million, making them eligible for immediate replacement.

Reflecting on the previous Hajj operation, he said the current management inherited the exercise when most of the arrangements had already been concluded, leaving little time for visa processing, pilgrims’ orientation and the upload of travel documents to Saudi authorities.

Despite the challenges, he said the board met the visa deadline through intensive efforts by its staff.

“Our officers worked throughout Ramadan, including overnight shifts, to ensure Kano pilgrims obtained their visas within the stipulated period,” he said.

Matawalle further revealed that Kano’s allocation for the 2026 pilgrimage stands at 3,050 pilgrims, following a reduction in Nigeria’s overall quota by Saudi Arabian authorities.

He added that the board had introduced major reforms, including reducing pilgrims’ accommodation from multiple buildings to two locations to enhance supervision and improve feeding, healthcare and welfare services.

The board also pledged to address complaints recorded during the last Hajj, particularly delays in issuing the mandatory Masuk identification cards, distant accommodation from the Grand Mosque and late airlift operations.

“This time, Kano pilgrims will not be among the last to be airlifted. We are determined to ensure a more efficient and comfortable Hajj experience,” Matawalle assured.

He urged all intending pilgrims to complete their documentation promptly and cooperate with the board’s guidelines to guarantee a seamless 2026 Hajj operation.

- Daily Independent