Tension has mounted across several states following the closure of the Saudi Hajj portal, leaving hundreds of pilgrims who paid through State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards yet to be captured for the 2026 Hajj.
The seven-day extension granted by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the uploading of pilgrims’ data has officially ended, marking the commencement of visa processing for those successfully registered on the Nusuk Masar platform.
Findings indicate that over 1000 pilgrims in Kaduna State were not uploaded due to disagreements with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over the state’s allocation.
Hajj Reporters reports that Kaduna State registered a total of 2,630 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj. However, NAHCON has recognised only 1,620 pilgrims, citing late remittance as the basis for its rejection of 1,010 pilgrims.
In Niger State, 2,376 pilgrims were reportedly registered before the deadline, but only 2,210 slots were approved, leaving about 165 initially unaccounted for.
Although approval was later granted for Niger to upload the remaining pilgrims, the clearance came less than 24 hours before the deadline, making compliance difficult. Similar challenges were reported in Bauchi and Zamfara states.
Stakeholders attributed the situation to discrepancies between registered numbers and approved allocations, late submission of e-passports by pilgrims, and technical issues linked to the slow Nusuk interface. Concerns have also been raised over the reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims.
A stakeholder described the development as troubling, noting that many affected pilgrims had completed payments and were preparing for the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Private Hajj Operators said the additional 6,000 Hajj slots earlier allocated to Tour Operators were not withdrawn but could not be utilised because the Saudi portal for camp booking and accommodation was not opened in time.
“It is impossible to revoke what was never activated or used,” an official said, adding that refund processes would be initiated for affected operators and pilgrims.
The clarification is expected to ease concerns among private Hajj operators, even as uncertainty persists for state-registered pilgrims yet to secure placement on the Saudi portal.
