Makkah: Some states’ pilgrims boards have commended efforts of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for providing hospitality services to their pilgrims. The boards gave the commendation when the officials of NAHCON received the contingent from Niger and Katsina states in Makkah on Saturday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tairu Bala-Doku, the Director of Operations, Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, said that NAHCON’s efforts to secure comfortable accommodation for the state’s pilgrims were impressive. Baba-Doku also commended the commission for ensuring that the pilgrims were well fed while in Madinah. He thanked Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger for his support to the pilgrims, noting that the total number of intending pilgrims from the state was 2,281, with the majority already transported to Saudi Arabia. ‘We have already operated four flights out of a total of six flights, and we have two flights remaining in Nigeria,’ he added.
Yunus Tijani, an official of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, also commended NAHCON for its seamless collaboration with the state. He urged the pilgrims to always ensure that they have their Nusuk to avoid harassment from Saudi law enforcement agencies. NAN reports that the Nusuk is an identification card that enables the pilgrims to enter all holy sites and benefit from the services provided to perform Hajj rituals with ease. It is the official document approved in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prove the pilgrim’s identity and their legal entry to perform Hajj rituals. The Nusuk contributes to facilitating the Hajj journey by providing important information and services. According to Saudi laws, it must be carried throughout the Hajj period in all transfers from arrival and within the holy sites until departure.
Meanwhile, records from NAHCON indicate that out of the 50,000 approved slots for the 2026 Hajj, 30,521 Nigerian pilgrims have been successfully transported to Saudi Arabia, with 75 flight operations.