The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has formally appealed to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to reopen the Hajj visa portal to allow remaining Nigerian pilgrims to complete their visa processing for the 2025 pilgrimage.
In a letter dated May 24, NAHCON described the request as a critical intervention to enable stranded Nigerian pilgrims obtain visas. The commission urged Saudi authorities to reconsider the closure to ensure no intending pilgrim is left behind.
The appeal follows the official confirmation by Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk Information Centre that the visa issuance for the 2025 Hajj has ended. The closure, which initially had a deadline of April 29, was previously extended after intervention from the President of Pakistan following mass visa cancellations in that country.
Despite the blanket closure affecting all participating nations, NAHCON’s correspondence signals Nigeria’s effort to secure additional access for its citizens.
As of the time of reporting, Saudi authorities are yet to respond to NAHCON’s appeal.
