Tension Mounts as Saudi Hajj Portal Closure Leaves Hundreds of Nigerian Pilgrims Uncaptured
Anxiety is rising across several states following the closure of the Saudi Hajj portal, leaving hundreds of intending pilgrims—who had completed payments through their respective State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards—yet to be captured for the 2026 Hajj.
The seven-day extension earlier granted by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for uploading pilgrims’ data has officially expired. Visa processing has now commenced for those successfully registered on the Nusuk Masar platform, effectively shutting out those whose details were not uploaded before the deadline.
Investigations reveal that more than 1,000 pilgrims in Kaduna State were not uploaded due to disagreements between the state authorities and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over allocation figures.
According to available data, Kaduna State registered 2,630 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj. However, NAHCON recognised only 1,620 pilgrims, rejecting 1,010 on grounds of late remittance of funds.
In Niger State, 2,376 pilgrims were reportedly registered before the deadline, but only 2,210 slots were approved, leaving about 165 pilgrims initially unaccounted for. Although approval was eventually granted for the state to upload the remaining pilgrims, the clearance reportedly came less than 24 hours before the portal closed, making compliance difficult.
Similar challenges were reported in Bauchi and Zamfara states.
Stakeholders attribute the crisis to discrepancies between registered figures and approved allocations, delayed submission of international passports by pilgrims, and technical challenges associated with the slow Nusuk interface. Concerns have also been raised over the reported reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims.
A stakeholder described the situation as troubling, noting that many of the affected pilgrims had completed payments and were already making preparations for the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Private Hajj Operators clarified that the additional 6,000 slots earlier allocated to tour operators were not withdrawn. However, they could not be utilised because the Saudi portal for camp booking and accommodation was not opened in time.
“It is impossible to revoke what was never activated or used,” an official stated, adding that refund processes would be initiated for affected operators and pilgrims.
While the clarification may calm fears among private operators, uncertainty persists for state-registered pilgrims who remain without confirmed placement on the Saudi portal.