Unease has gripped State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards over difficulties in securing accommodation for Nigerian pilgrims in Makkah ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
Findings show that many states are yet to upload accommodation details on the Saudi E-Track portal, as required by guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Officials cite soaring prices and the scarcity of suitable facilities within traditional pilgrimage accommodation areas as major obstacles.
A state pilgrims welfare board official, who spoke to Hajj Reporters, said accommodation costs have risen sharply this year, while many available facilities lack tasril numbers, a mandatory requirement for uploading housing details on the portal. He warned that Nigerian pilgrims may be forced to stay farther away from the Haram if suitable accommodation that has tasril cannot be found within the area where we used to stay on time.
Multiple sources confirmed that most accommodations selected by states do not meet the tasril requirement, complicating the approval process. The issue was reportedly raised during discussions with a visiting delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which advised Nigerian stakeholders to immediately secure accommodation with valid tasril numbers before the portal closes.
Stakeholders attribute the situation to broader challenges within the Hajj industry, including delayed payments by intending pilgrims and failure to adhere strictly to Saudi timelines.
Under the current schedule, the deadline for transferring funds for housing services in Makkah and Madinah via the Nusuk wallet is January 20, 2026. Housing contracts must be finalised by February 1, while visa issuance is set to begin on February 8 and close on March 20, 2026.
