Kano raises Hajj welfare concerns as NAHCON promises improvement

Officials from Kano State have voiced strong concerns regarding the treatment of their pilgrims during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia, criticizing the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The Amirul Hajj for Kano State, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, represented by the Emir of Gaya, conveyed these grievances during a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Kano Pilgrims Camp in Mina.

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The airlift operations involving Kano pilgrims suffered repeated delays. If not for the timely intervention and commitment of the Kano State Government as well as the airline handling the operation, the situation would have been worse.

The primary complaint centers on the delayed airlift operations for Kano pilgrims, who were among the last batch of Nigerians to travel. This delay, according to the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammadu Maharaz, caused unnecessary hardship and anxiety. He noted that the situation would have been worse without the intervention of the Kano State Government and the airline.

Furthermore, the late arrival of Kano pilgrims to the Holy Land significantly reduced their time in Madinah. Instead of the usual four to five days, many contingents from Kano spent only 24 hours or at most two nights, rushing their spiritual activities and limiting their opportunities for worship. The quality of food provided in Madinah and Jeddah also fell below acceptable standards, with instances of pilgrims not being served meals at all, despite the fees paid.

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The Emir also complained about the quality of food served to pilgrims in both Madina and Jeddah, saying the meals provided fell below acceptable standards.

Another significant issue raised was the failure to issue Nusuk cards to some pilgrims. These cards are mandatory for accessing certain holy sites and Hajj services. The absence of these cards led to dozens of Kano pilgrims facing movement restrictions and even being confined to buses for over five hours upon arrival in Makkah, causing severe hardship, particularly for women and the elderly. The state government is calling for improvements in these services.

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At one point, some pilgrims were kept inside buses for over five hours after arriving in Makkah because they could not disembark due to the absence of Nusuk cards for some of them.