From Sani Chinade, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has confirmed that none of the state’s pilgrims illegally remained in Saudi Arabia after completing the 2026 Hajj exercise.
He made this statement on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the National Hajj Commission’s (NAHCON) Sensitization Committee in Damaturu, the state capital.
Governor Buni, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, expressed his satisfaction that Yobe State was the first in the North East to complete the transportation of its pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria after the Hajj exercise.
He attributed this success to effective planning, discipline, and cooperation among the state government, the state Hajj Commission, religious leaders, and the pilgrims.
The governor pledged to comply with the newly introduced NAHCON guidelines for the 2027 Hajj, particularly regarding the completion of payment for transportation and the registration of intending pilgrims before the September 26, 2026, deadline.
He urged officials to continue providing essential guidance, support, and advocacy for pilgrims, especially those from the North East, highlighting the region’s unique challenges that require urgent assistance and high standards of service.
Governor Buni commended the commission for implementing several significant reforms that have made the Hajj process more effective and worthwhile.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abba Jato, the committee’s chairman and NAHCON Commissioner representing North East, explained that the committee visited the state to sensitize stakeholders about the new Hajj policy introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
He noted that the Saudis are transitioning from government-led to a private tour operator model called B2B for Hajj management.
“Initially, they demanded that 98 percent of Nigeria’s quota shift to this model immediately. However, NAHCON opposed this sudden change, arguing that it would disrupt our financial system and make Hajj too expensive for the average Nigerian pilgrim,” Jato stated.
“Through intense negotiations, we secured a crucial concession: only 30 percent of our quota will transition to the new model in 2027, giving us a three-year window for transition.”
The chairman warned that the deadline for uploading all pilgrim registration data is September 26, with no extensions available.
He emphasized that presenting health fitness certificates was mandatory, and intending pilgrims with major organ failure, severe neurological or psychiatric conditions, pregnancy, or active infectious diseases would be prohibited from participating in the Hajj.
“Additionally, the issuance of visas for office members is contingent upon completing the mandatory training track and obtaining the professional qualification by January 28, 2027. The medical personnel ratio for the 2027 Hajj will be a minimum of 1.5 doctors and 1.7 nurses per 1,000 pilgrims,” Jato added.
“We respectfully request Your Excellency’s intervention to direct the state pilgrims’ commission and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the registration, documentation, and payment processes for pilgrims. We must meet this deadline to avoid losing our state’s allocation slots.”
Earlier, during their arrival at the Yobe State Hajj Commission office in Damaturu, NAHCON’s North-East Commissioner praised the state chairman, Alhaji Mai Aliyu Usman, for his honesty and integrity in managing Hajj affairs.
In response, the state chairman, Alhaji Mai Aliyu Usman Biriri, expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from the state government under Governor Mai Mala Buni and commended NAHCON for its successful handling of Hajj affairs.