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The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced its readiness for the 2026 Hajj exercise, assuring intending pilgrims that preparations are on course despite a reduction in Nigeria’s overall pilgrimage allocation by Saudi Arabian authorities.
The Director-General of the board, Alhaji Abubakar Matawalle, disclosed this on Monday during an interaction with journalists in Kano.
Matawalle revealed that Kano State has been allocated 3,050 slots for the 2026 pilgrimage and warned that intending pilgrims who have paid their fares but are yet to submit their international passports must do so on or before September 5 or risk forfeiting their places.
According to him, the board will not extend the deadline as it is working within the timetable provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“Pilgrims who fail to submit their e-passports before the deadline will have their fares refunded, while their slots will be reassigned to qualified applicants on the waiting list,” he said.
The Director-General disclosed that more than 200 prospective pilgrims are currently on standby with valid travel documents and other requirements already completed, ready to take up any vacant slots that may arise.
He added that the board has also received cheques worth over N7.6 million from intending pilgrims awaiting possible allocation.
Matawalle explained that the strict deadline was necessary to ensure Kano does not lose any of its allotted slots, noting that NAHCON could withdraw unused allocations after September 10 and redistribute them to other states with higher demand.
The board's chief further attributed the reduction in Kano's allocation to Saudi Arabia's decision to cut Nigeria's overall Hajj quota following low utilisation during the previous exercise.
According to him, Nigeria reportedly used only about 50,000 of the 90,000 slots allocated to the country in the last Hajj operation, prompting Saudi authorities to review the quota downward for the 2026 exercise.
Despite the reduction, Matawalle expressed confidence that Kano would fully utilise its allocation and ensure a smooth pilgrimage process for successful applicants.
He noted that preparations for the 2026 Hajj are being carried out while addressing some of the challenges inherited from the previous exercise, explaining that he assumed office when most of the arrangements for the last pilgrimage had already been concluded.
The Director-General assured intending pilgrims that the board remains committed to providing efficient services and ensuring that all necessary procedures are completed within the stipulated timelines.
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