With the deadline for uploading e-passports for the 2026 Hajj exercise set for February 8, concerns are mounting over the readiness of some states, as several intending pilgrims are yet to submit their passports for processing.
Findings by Hajj Reporters indicate that delays in e-passport submission could hamper the completion of pilgrims’ data upload ahead of the deadline, raising fears of possible exclusion of affected pilgrims from the 2026 pilgrimage.
In Plateau State, many intending pilgrims have yet to submit their e-passports, posing significant challenges for the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. The Information Officer of the board, Hajiya Amina, said the major setback was the delay in e-passport processing, noting that some pilgrims failed to submit their documents because the closing date fell on a weekend.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Board, Imam AbdulRahman, disclosed last week that over 100 intending pilgrims were yet to submit their e-passports for processing. He said the board had issued a final warning, stressing that pilgrims who fail to submit their passports within the stipulated time risk forfeiting their Hajj seats this year.
In Kano State, the Public Relations Officer of the state Muslim Pilgrims Board confirmed that some pilgrims were still yet to submit their e-passports for capturing. However, he said the board had secured the cooperation of immigration officials, who pledged to work through the weekend to clear all outstanding passports.
Reports from Lagos State show a different situation, as all registered intending pilgrims have submitted their e-passports for processing. Nevertheless, officials disclosed challenges with a slow interface during the upload of pilgrims’ data to the Nusuk portal. The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Board, Taofeek Donsunmu, said the board’s ICT team was working round the clock to complete the upload before the deadline.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the Head of ICT of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Board, Alhaji NA Allah Ado, said the board was on course to complete the upload process, adding that all registered intending pilgrims had submitted their passports.
As the deadline approaches, stakeholders have urged intending pilgrims and state boards to expedite the submission and processing of e-passports to avoid last-minute disruptions to the 2026 Hajj exercise.
