By Pelumi Adesokan
Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2027 Hajj are expected to receive their Nusuk cards in their respective states before travelling to designated embarkation points, a service provider has said.
A highly placed official in Makkah disclosed this to Hajj Reporters, saying Mashariq Al Dhahabia, one of the service providers for Nigerian pilgrims, had initiated arrangements with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure that no Nigerian pilgrim departs for Saudi Arabia without a Nusuk card.
Under the proposed arrangement, the distribution exercise will be decentralised to the state level, with two committees expected to coordinate the process.
The first committee, to be established in collaboration with NAHCON, will oversee the distribution and coordination of the cards. A central coordinating office will operate in Abuja, while the company is expected to recruit officials across the states to manage the distribution exercise.
A second committee will be responsible for verification, ensuring that all registered pilgrims receive their cards and addressing any issues that may arise before departure.
The verification process is expected to take place shortly before pilgrims are transported to the airports, allowing outstanding issues to be resolved before departure.
The arrangement is intended to ensure that pilgrims have their Nusuk cards before leaving their states, rather than waiting until they arrive in Saudi Arabia.
