By Ibrahim Muhamad
National Coordinator
Independent Hajj Reporters
There appears to be some lack of understanding among Hajj administrator’s intending pilgrims over the September 26 deadline announced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Many assume it is a deadline for Hajj fare payment, whereas it is primarily a Hajj registration deadline.
Recently, several State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards directed intending pilgrims who have already made their initial deposits to submit their valid international passports within a specified period.
This directive is aimed at completing the registration of intending pilgrims. While many pilgrims have paid the required deposit for the 2027 Hajj, they cannot be registered until they provide their valid e-passports and other required personal information.
What is the Hajj Registration Deadline?
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has directed all Hajj-participating countries to upload the details of their intending pilgrims onto the Nusuk Masar platform on or before September 26, 2026, up to the number of Hajj slots allocated to each country.
For Nigeria, this means that the data of about 50,000 intending pilgrims expected to perform the 2027 Hajj must be uploaded to the Nusuk Masar platform before the deadline
This explains why the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) initially fixed the minimum deposit at ₦4 million before increasing it to ₦5 million. The lowering of initial deposit was intended to enable State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to register as many intending pilgrims as possible within the stipulated timeframe.
An insider hints that there is possibility of increasing Nigeria’ 2027 Hajj allocation if the country is able to exhaust its quota and upload the data of all its intending pilgrims before the September 26 Deadline.
What About Hajj Fare Payment?
The September 26 deadline should not be mistaken for the deadline for Hajj fare payment.
Both the initial deposit and the balance of the Hajj fare are part of the overall Hajj payment process. Payments can continue thereafter after initial registration and uploading of all relevant information because NAHCON has not yet announced the final Hajj fare for the 2027 pilgrimage.
In other words, while registration data must be submitted before September 26, the completion of Hajj fare payments can continue after that date once the final fare is released.
Advice to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards
State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards should encourage all intending pilgrims who wish to make payments to come along with their valid e-passports, as registration cannot be completed without them.
The term “valid passport” should also be clearly explained to pilgrims. Many are unaware that an international passport with insufficient validity before its expiration may not be accepted for Hajj processing. Pilgrims should therefore ensure their passports meet the validity requirements prescribed by the Saudi authorities before submitting them for registration.