By Garba Abdullahi Bagwai
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has expressed concern that the state may not retain its allocation of 3,620 Hajj seats for the 2027 pilgrimage following the proposed reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano at the weekend. He, however, noted that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is currently engaging the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels to retain Nigeria’s existing allocation of 96,000 Hajj seats.
Matawalle warned that if the reduction is implemented, Kano State’s allocation would be affected, making it difficult for many intending pilgrims to secure seats for the 2027 Hajj.
“As of now, almost 70 percent of the seats allocated to Kano State have already been taken. I don’t think we will reach the September 28 deadline with any seat remaining. Therefore, anyone intending to perform Hajj next year should urgently deposit the Hajj fare,” he said.
The Executive Secretary explained that under the new Saudi guidelines, payments for accommodation, transportation and pilgrims’ tents (Khaima) must be completed on or before September 25.
He warned that any state that fails to meet the deadline risks being excluded from the 2027 Hajj exercise.
According to him, after completing the payments, the remaining processes will mainly involve visa processing and pilgrims’ screening, which is expected to commence in January 2027.
Speaking on preparations for the next Hajj, Matawalle said the agency plans to accommodate Kano pilgrims in only two or three buildings located close to the Holy Mosque (Haram) in Makkah.
He explained that the arrangement would enable pilgrims to walk to the Haram instead of relying on buses, while also making food distribution and official inspections easier.
“During the last Hajj operation, we experienced serious difficulties because we had to inspect eight different buildings occupied by Kano pilgrims in locations far from the Haram every day,” he said.
The Executive Secretary also announced plans to decentralize the pilgrims’ screening exercise by moving it to the headquarters of all the 44 local government areas in Kano State.
He said screening committees would be established in each local government and would comprise the District Head, a representative of the Local Government Chairman, health officials and centre officers.
According to him, the new arrangement will improve efficiency and reduce the hardship faced by intending pilgrims who currently travel long distances to Kano for screening.
On the proposal to transfer Hajj operations to private tour operators, Matawalle said Nigeria is not yet ready to fully implement the Saudi initiative.
He argued that allowing private tour operators to manage the exercise at this stage could expose intending pilgrims, particularly those in rural communities, to fraud and exploitation.
He recalled that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria recently withdrew the licences of some tour operators due to their poor performance during the last Hajj exercise.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to engage the Saudi authorities before implementing such a policy.
Matawalle also commended the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, for introducing reforms that contributed to the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
He described the decision to return the selection of airlines to state pilgrims’ boards as a welcome development, noting that the arrangement had existed in the past before it was centralized by the commission.
The Executive Secretary also praised Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his unwavering support to the agency, saying it played a significant role in the successful conduct of the state’s Hajj operations.
“I encountered numerous challenges when I assumed office barely three months before the departure of pilgrims to the Holy Land. The challenges included visa processing and medical screening of intending pilgrims. However, with the commitment and support of Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, as well as the cooperation of the State Commissioner for Health, we met all the deadlines set by the Saudi authorities.
“I want to assure all intending pilgrims that the 2027 Hajj exercise will be different because preparations have started early. We are determined to comply with all the guidelines issued by the Saudi authorities and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria within the stipulated time,” Matawalle said.
