By: Jabiru Hassan.
Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organisation (CSO) that reports and advocates workable policies in the Hajj and Umrah industry, has appealed to the 36 State Governors to provide loan facilities for their State Muslim Pilgrims Boards to assist in making payments for the 2026 Hajj.
IHR, in a statement signed by its national coordinator on Sunday, Ibrahim Muhammad, said the “save 2026 Hajj appeal” becomes necessary in view of a shortage of time.
“The 2026 Hajj calendar mandates every country to conclude its 2026 Hajj registration by December, with strict directives that no extension will be granted whatsoever.
“This will make it very difficult for intending pilgrims from Nigeria to make full payments ahead of the deadline,” IHR said.
The CSO also said the tight timeline will inhibit both the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards from making proper pre-hajj arrangements unless funds are made available in the form of loans, which will be refunded when their pilgrims make payments.
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state has already approved an advancement of N3.4 billion to the state pilgrims board to enable it to make adequate arrangements for pilgrims from the state.
The governor made a similar advancement to the board for Hajj 2025, a gesture IHR finds worthy of emulation.
“IHR noted that the time-consuming hajj registration model that allows States to register and later transfer funds to NAHCON before being transferred to Saudi Service providers does not fit into the current fast-paced pace first-come, first-served system adopted by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The statement said “Nigeria, as the fifth largest hajj contingent in the world and the biggest Hajj Country in Africa, has been facing challenges of managing Hajj calendars effectively, resulting in pleading for extension in airlift, visa processing – an embarrassing situation that is avoidable.
We therefore appeal to the State Governors to rescue the 2026 Hajj preparation by heeding this request on behalf of Nigerian pilgrims.