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By Soliu Oyesiji
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed that over 20,000 Nigerian pilgrims have arrived and been fully accommodated in Makkah as preparations intensify for the major rites of the 2026 Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This was disclosed in an operational update presented during a special meeting organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on May 15, 2026, to review preparations for Masha’er activities.
According to the report by Shafii Sani Mohammed from Makkah, pilgrims from Nasarawa, Kogi, Ogun, Ondo, Benue, Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory, Borno, Taraba, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto and Bauchi states had been successfully received, despite initial delays in room allocations at some locations.
The Chairman of Mashariq Dhahabiyya, Sheikh Mohammad Ameen Andarqiri, commended improvements recorded in accommodation, feeding, transportation, medical services and pilgrims’ welfare during the ongoing Hajj operations.
NAHCON said issues encountered during accommodation were promptly resolved in collaboration with state officials and Saudi authorities, while officials of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that reported challenges had been addressed.
The commission also disclosed that more than 500 medical consultations had already been handled by the National Medical Team in NAHCON clinics located in Madinah and Makkah.
It added that about 19,000 Nusuk cards had so far been issued to Nigerian pilgrims, alongside the deployment of digital innovations such as GPS mapping of pilgrims’ accommodations and real-time monitoring systems to improve service delivery.
NAHCON advised pilgrims to always carry their Nusuk cards for identification and access to services, noting that field support teams had assisted several pilgrims who lost their way in Makkah.
