NAHCON Apologises as Kano Amirul Hajj Raises Concerns Over Pilgrims’ Welfare During Hajj

The Amirul Hajj of Kano State and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has criticised the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over what he described as shortcomings in the handling of Kano pilgrims during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

Represented by his deputy, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammadu Maharaz, during a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Kano Pilgrims Camp in Mina, the monarch highlighted a number of operational challenges that allegedly caused hardship for pilgrims from the state.
According to him, Kano pilgrims experienced repeated delays in airlift operations and were among the final groups of Nigerian pilgrims transported to Saudi Arabia.
He stated that the situation generated anxiety and unnecessary stress for intending pilgrims, adding that the intervention of the Kano State Government and the airline responsible for the operation helped prevent the matter from worsening.
The Amirul Hajj explained that the delayed flights disrupted travel schedules and deprived many pilgrims of adequate time to participate in spiritual activities in Madina before proceeding to Makkah.
“Most of our contingents spent less than 24 hours or at best two nights in Madina instead of the traditional four or five days enjoyed by pilgrims from other states,” he said.
He noted that the hurried movement negatively affected the comfort and spiritual experience of pilgrims who had anticipated spending more time in prayer and worship in the holy city.
The monarch also expressed concern over the quality of meals provided to pilgrims, describing the feeding arrangements in Madina and Jeddah as unsatisfactory and below expected standards.
He further alleged that some pilgrims were not served meals despite the substantial amount paid for the pilgrimage.
In addition, the Amirul Hajj criticised the failure to issue Nusuk cards to several pilgrims, saying the problem significantly disrupted the performance of Hajj rites by those affected.
The Nusuk card serves as a mandatory identification document required for access to holy sites and essential Hajj services in Saudi Arabia.
He disclosed that dozens of Kano pilgrims faced movement restrictions and had to remain in temporary seclusion because their cards were not issued on time.
“At one point, some pilgrims remained trapped inside buses for more than five hours after arriving in Makkah because some passengers had no Nusuk cards and could not disembark,” he revealed.
He added that the delays were particularly difficult for elderly pilgrims and women, who suffered exhaustion and discomfort as a result.
The Amirul Hajj stressed that pilgrims’ welfare should remain a priority for all agencies involved in Hajj operations and urged NAHCON to address the identified challenges before the commencement of the return airlift to Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that the return journey would be better organised and free from the logistical difficulties encountered during the outbound trip.
Responding to the concerns, the Director of Training and Research at NAHCON, Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yargawal, apologised for the inconveniences experienced by the pilgrims and assured that corrective measures would be taken.
He said the commission had already commenced efforts to improve service delivery and thanked the Kano delegation for drawing attention to the issues.
Yargawal also commended the Kano pilgrims for their patience and understanding despite the operational challenges faced during the exercise.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring the welfare, safety and successful pilgrimage of all Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.