Yobe Promises To Meet NAHCON Deadline For Pilgrims’ Registration

Yobe State government has pledged to meet the deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the registration of 2027 pilgrims.

The government commenced NAHCO for its consultations on preparations for the hajj, with emphasis on early registration, documentation, medical screening and pilgrims’ welfare.

Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, spoke during an engagement with a delegation of NAHCON officials at the Government House in Damaturu. The meeting was part of the agency’s consultations with states ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.

The governor assured NAHCON of its readiness to comply with the commission’s directives and ensure that intending pilgrims complete their registration and documentation within the stipulated timeframe.

The government pledged to meet the 26th September, 2026, deadline for completing pilgrims’ registration and payment, urging relevant stakeholders to work together to prevent administrative bottlenecks.

Buni said Yobe recorded significant progress during the 2026 Hajj, becoming the first state in the Maiduguri Zone to complete the outbound airlift of its pilgrims.

He added that none of the state’s pilgrims absconded after completing the pilgrimage, attributing the achievement to cooperation among pilgrims, religious leaders, and officials, as well as support from the state government.

The governor further commended NAHCON for reforms aimed at improving the airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and the orderly return of pilgrims to Nigeria.

It said continuous training, seminars, conferences and other capacity-building programmes supported by the state government had contributed to improved performance by the Yobe State Pilgrims Commission.

Governor Buni also appealed to NAHCON’s Board Member representing the North-East Zone, Alhaji Abba Jatau, to sustain his support and advocacy for pilgrims’ commissions across the region.

It noted that the North-East had peculiar challenges and required sustained coordination to ensure that pilgrims from the region received quality services.

On the Saudi reforms, the NAHCON Board Member representing Northeast Abba Jatau, explained that the Saudi Arabian authorities were gradually transitioning Hajj operations from a government-to-government arrangement to a business-to-business model involving licensed tour operators.

He said the Saudi authorities had initially sought full implementation of the new arrangement, but Nigeria negotiated a three-year transition period due to the peculiarities of Nigeria’s Hajj operations.

According to him, the transition would be implemented gradually, starting with the 2027 Hajj over a three-year period, to enable Nigeria and relevant stakeholders to adapt to the new system.

Abba Jatau also informed the state government on 26 September 2026, that the deadline for uploading pilgrims’ passports and other required documentation.

It said visa issuance for the 2027 Hajj would commence on 28 January 2027.

The NAHCON officials further drew the attention of the state government to stricter medical requirements introduced by the Saudi authorities, urging states to ensure thorough medical screening of intending pilgrims before the commencement of the pilgrimage.

He stressed the need for states to comply with the required medical personnel-to-pilgrim ratio, including adequate doctors and nurses to cater for pilgrims during the exercise.

The delegation urged the Yobe State Government and the state pilgrims’ commission to strengthen their registration, documentation, and payment processes to ensure that no intending pilgrim loses the opportunity to participate in the 2027 Hajj due to avoidable delays.

The delegation commended the Yobe State Government for its support and described the state as one of the states with notable achievements in pilgrims’ welfare and organisation.

The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to closer collaboration among NAHCON, the Yobe State Pilgrims Commission, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful 2027 Hajj operation.