By Faruku Umar,
Head of Information and Communications,
Pilgrims Welfare Agency,
Sokoto. In my personal view, the preparation for Hajj is a sensitive and highly coordinated process that demands strict adherence to established guidelines in order to safeguard the welfare of intending pilgrims and ensure smooth operations.
One area that, in my opinion, deserves serious attention is the practice by some states of uploading intending pilgrims’ e-passports on the E-Track portal before conducting the mandatory health screening.
Traditionally, mandatory health screening has served as a foundational requirement in the Hajj preparation process. I believe it is intended to ensure that only medically fit individuals are cleared to undertake the physically demanding rites of Hajj. The exercise also helps authorities identify pilgrims who may require special medical attention or those who, for health reasons, may be advised not to travel. Conducting this screening early allows for informed decision-making and proper planning.
However, it has been observed in recent times that some states upload pilgrims’ details and e-passports on the E-Track portal before completing this crucial medical exercise. In my opinion, this practice presents a clear contradiction in both process and logic. At the point of passport uploading, the system already assumes that the pilgrim is fully eligible and cleared for Hajj, even though medical fitness has not yet been confirmed.
This contradiction, in my view, becomes even more concerning with the introduction of the new Nusuk policy. Under this policy, once a pilgrim’s information is uploaded on the E-Track portal, substitution is no longer allowed. Consequently, if an intending pilgrim later fails the mandatory health screening due to serious medical conditions, the allocated Hajj slot cannot be transferred to another eligible person. This may result in the loss of a valuable Hajj slot or create pressure to compromise health standards—both outcomes that, in my opinion, should be avoided.
From an administrative perspective, I believe uploading passport details before health clearance exposes the Hajj process to avoidable risks. It undermines the essence of mandatory health screening and creates operational challenges for Pilgrims Welfare Agencies and other stakeholders. It also places intending pilgrims in a difficult position, as some may become emotionally and financially committed to the process, only to be disqualified later on medical grounds with no possibility of replacement.
To align with best practices and the realities of the Nusuk policy, I am of the opinion that there is an urgent need to reorder the process. Mandatory health screening should be conducted and concluded first, with only medically cleared pilgrims proceeding to passport uploading and E-Track registration.
In my view, this approach protects the integrity of the Hajj process, preserves valuable pilgrimage slots, and, most importantly, prioritizes the health and safety of pilgrims.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that processing passports on the E-Track portal before mandatory health screening is a procedural contradiction that must be addressed. Given the strict non-substitution rule under the Nusuk policy, stakeholders should, in my opinion, return to a more logical, health-first approach to Hajj preparations. Doing so will promote efficiency, fairness, and the overall well-being of intending pilgrims.