By Soliu Oyesiji
Some Nigerian pilgrims preparing for the 2026 Hajj have begun receiving their visas after an earlier delay caused by updated medical requirements from Saudi authorities.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had initially scheduled February 18 for the commencement of Hajj visa issuance. However, the process was delayed following the introduction of updated medical guidelines for intending pilgrims.
Following the development, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) alerted state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards and private Hajj operators to urgently upload the medical certificates of their pilgrims. The commission fixed March 2 as the deadline for the submission of the documents.
Findings by Hajj Reporters indicate that states that complied with the directive and uploaded their pilgrims’ medical certificates have started receiving visas.
Among the states that have already received visas are Gombe, Jigawa, Adamawa and Bauchi, while more states are expected to begin receiving theirs in the coming days as the process continues.
