By Suwaiba Ahmed
Plans are underway to introduce colour-coded Nusuk cards for Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj, a move aimed at simplifying identification and easing logistics. This was revealed during a coordination meeting between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and one of the Saudi-based service providers, Mashariq Dhahabiyya.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Umar Mansur Fadhl Abu-Yazan, disclosed this to the Madina Coordinator of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyin, and his team. He emphasized his company’s full commitment and readiness to serve Nigerian pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj season. “We are fully prepared to receive the guests of Allah, and all logistics are in place to ensure a smooth operation,” he assured.
Alhaji Oloyin explained that the visit was part of a fact-finding mission to assess the preparedness of service providers. During discussions, he requested further clarification on the Nusuk card, which grants pilgrims access to the Raudah.
In response, Abu-Yazan said all Nusuk cards for Nigerian pilgrims under their care are ready. However, he emphasized the need for early notification of pilgrim manifests ahead of their arrival in Saudi Arabia to ensure timely processing. He also urged the NAHCON team to sensitise pilgrims on the new colour-coding system, which is designed to help them easily identify their assigned buses, especially during movement from Madina to the Miqat.
The NAHCON delegation was also given a tour of the company’s facilities, including sections designated for the safe custody of pilgrims’ passports. Among the officials present at the meeting was Dr. Aliyu Tanko, former Coordinator of the Hajj Savings Scheme, who now serves with Mashariq Dhahabiyya.
In a related development, the NAHCON team led by Alhaji Oloyin also visited Ekram Aldyf, another company contracted to provide services to Nigerian pilgrims. The meeting focused on key operational areas, including passport management and internal transportation of pilgrims.
The Group Manager of Ekram Aldyf, Muataz Dausy, alongside his deputy Marwan Khudairy, appealed for cooperation from NAHCON to help distinguish Nigerian pilgrims from international ones upon arrival, to avoid a repeat of last year’s challenges. They commended NAHCON staff for their efforts during the previous Hajj and expressed optimism for continued collaboration in the 2025 exercise.