…Smooth Transit to Mecca, Medical Support, and Spiritual Guidance Remain Priorities
By Adamu Ibrahim Dabo | 26 May 2025
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is in the final stretch of its 2025 Hajj airlift operation, with Wednesday set as the concluding day for transporting pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This update was given by Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Information, Statistics, and Library Services, during a press conference at the Nigeria Hajj Affairs office in Madina.
Describing this year’s airlift as one of the smoothest and most organized in recent history, Professor Yagawal attributed the successful coordination to divine will and meticulous planning by the Commission.
As thousands of Nigerian pilgrims continue their onward journey from Madina to Mecca, NAHCON reports that the transition has been largely seamless. However, a few individuals were found entering Mecca without the mandatory NUSUK cards—an essential requirement introduced this year by Saudi authorities to authenticate registered pilgrims and grant them access to holy sites.
So far, over 34,647 NUSUK cards have been successfully issued to Nigerian pilgrims.
Addressing the spiritual aspect of the pilgrimage, Professor Yagawal highlighted the structured involvement of Islamic scholars, known as Ulamas, who have been strategically grouped to serve distinct purposes. One group offers special prayers for the nation, another handles preaching and enlightenment, while the third team addresses religious concerns by issuing Fatwas on complex matters related to Hajj rites.
On the healthcare front, the Commissioner reassured the public that pilgrims continue to receive adequate medical attention, despite adjustments in Saudi health regulations. Notably, no deaths have been recorded among Nigerian pilgrims in Madina as of Monday evening.
Professor Yagawal also used the occasion to commend the efforts of the media team accompanying the pilgrimage, praising their role in responsibly informing the public and holding the commission accountable through fair and ethical reporting.
He reiterated that NAHCON remains fully responsible for the accommodation and feeding of Nigerian pilgrims while in Madina, ensuring their comfort and welfare.
In his final remarks, the Commissioner urged all pilgrims to remain God-conscious, uphold the spiritual sanctity of the Hajj, and remember Nigeria in their prayers.
As the airlift draws to a close, NAHCON’s efforts underscore its commitment to ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and logistically sound pilgrimage experience for every Nigerian pilgrim.