Kano Sets September 5 Deadline for 2026 Hajj Passport Submission, Warns Pilgrims

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has set September 5, 2026, as the deadline for intending pilgrims who have paid for the 2026 Hajj but are yet to submit their e-passports.

The board warned that pilgrims who fail to meet the deadline risk losing their Hajj slots, with their fares to be refunded and the slots reallocated to those on the waiting list.

The Director-General of the board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed this while speaking with members of the Kano Correspondents Chapel.

Matawalle said the deadline was necessary to enable Kano State to meet the timelines set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and ensure the timely processing of pilgrims’ travel documentation.

He explained that more than 200 pilgrims are already on standby, with their passports and other required documents ready to take up any available slots. He added that the standby pilgrims had also submitted cheques worth more than N7.6 million.

According to the DG, Kano State currently has an allocation of 3,050 pilgrims for the forthcoming Hajj, but all the available slots have already been filled.

He attributed the reduction in Kano’s allocation to a corresponding reduction in Nigeria’s overall Hajj quota by Saudi Arabia, following the country’s failure to fully utilise its 90,000-pilgrim allocation during the previous Hajj operation.

Board Reviews Hajj Operations
Matawalle said he inherited a challenging situation when he assumed office, explaining that about 80 per cent of preparations for the previous Hajj had already been completed before his appointment.

He said the limited time available created difficulties in several areas, including visa processing, Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), pilgrims’ sensitisation and the uploading of passports into the Saudi Arabian system.

Despite the challenges, he said the board successfully secured visas for Kano pilgrims within the deadlines stipulated by NAHCON and the Saudi authorities.

He recalled that officials worked around the clock, including during Ramadan, to ensure that pilgrims’ passports were uploaded on time.

The DG said the board had also reviewed the difficulties encountered during the previous Hajj and introduced measures aimed at improving accommodation, feeding, medical services, supervision and the overall welfare of pilgrims.

“One of my greatest commitments is to ensure that our pilgrims have decent reception, decent accommodation and comfortable conditions to perform their religious rites without distress,” he said.

Fewer Accommodation

Facilities in Makkah
Matawalle disclosed that the board would reduce the number of accommodation facilities used by Kano pilgrims from about nine or 10 houses in previous operations to just two houses for the forthcoming Hajj.

He said the arrangement would enable officials to monitor pilgrims more effectively and provide essential services, including feeding and medical care.

On accommodation in Makkah, the DG said the board could not guarantee facilities located directly at the doorstep of the Grand Mosque, but assured pilgrims that the distance would be significantly better than during the previous Hajj.

Board Moves to End Masuk Delays
Matawalle also promised to tackle delays in the issuance of Masuk, the identification card required by pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

He said some Kano pilgrims were previously forced to remain inside buses for extended periods while waiting for their Masuk cards.

“We have taken very serious and drastic action to curtail that incidence,” he said.

Kano Targets Earlier Airlift

On airlift arrangements, Matawalle said the board had engaged the airline involved in the operation to ensure that Kano pilgrims would not be among the last groups transported to Saudi Arabia.

“Last year, we were almost the last people to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia. This time around, we will never be the last. If we cannot be the first, we will definitely be the second or be in the middle,” he said.

The DG urged intending pilgrims to comply with all documentation requirements within the stipulated deadlines.

He assured them that the board was committed to delivering a more organised, efficient and comfortable Hajj operation for Kano pilgrims.