The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has extended the deadline for intending #pilgrims to complete their #Hajj fare payments to Friday, December 12.
Chairman of the Agency, Aliyu Musa, announced the extension during a meeting with Assistant Hajj Registration Officers from the 23 local government areas on Monday. He urged pilgrims who have made initial deposits, as well as those intending to make full payments, to take advantage of the new deadline.
Musa explained that the adjustment was necessary due to new operational guidelines introduced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and updated Saudi Arabian regulations for the 2026 Hajj.
He disclosed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a digital travel system that links flight tickets to the Nusuk card, which will be assigned to designated buses transporting pilgrims to their hotels in Makkah and Madinah.
“Pilgrims will be required to remain in the same groups under which their visas were processed. Each group of 45 will travel, lodge and return together, with no regrouping allowed after visa processing,” he said.
He added that all pre-arrival data must be uploaded to the Nusuk Masar platform at least 72 hours before departure, noting that those who fail to board after ticketing will be recorded as no-shows and may bear the cost of the unused seat.
The Saudi authorities have also introduced a mandatory boarding card to be issued prior to take-off, containing full travel and accommodation details.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Information and Communications of the Agency, Faruku Umar.
