By DEJI ABDULWAHAB

A Saudi Arabian service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah popularly known as Sana, has pledged that all pilgrims from Nigeria will receive their NUSUK cards before traveling for 2027 Hajj.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NUSUK card is a mandatory digital and physical identification card issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

It serves as an official proof of authorised Hajj status, ensuring that only registered pilgrims can access holy sites, ride designated transport, and receive emergency medical services.

Mr Muhammad Kamil Kalantan, the company’s Head of Nigerian Operations for 2026 Hajj, announced this in a statement issued by its media office on Wednesday in Abuja.

Kalantan said during 2026 Hajj, only Lagos and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) got their NUSUK cards in Nigeria out of the 36 states and FCT.

“Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah Company took an unprecedented move ahead of the 2026 Hajj by deploying its staff to Nigeria to issue the NUSUK cards to some intending pilgrims before they travelled to the holy land.

“We have observed the difficulties Nigerian pilgrims went through in 2025 Hajj arising from the NUSUK cards issuance.

“So, this year, we sent a team of our staff to Nigeria to test run and operationalise the NUSUK cards programme.

“By so doing, pilgrims from Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) got their NUSUK cards in Nigeria before arriving Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Kalantan, who is also a board member of the company, explained that the administration of NUSUK cards by Nigerian pilgrims in 2026 was seamless unlike what happened during the 2025 Hajj.

“It was based on this that going forward, we have decided to deliver the NUSUK cards to all Nigerian pilgrims for 2027 Hajj before they depart to the holy land insha Allah.”

According to him, the NUSUK card is central to Hajj operation. When every pilgrim gets it in time, it makes the entire Hajj operation seamless and less cumbersome.

“When all Nigerian pilgrims are given their NUSUK cards back home, it makes their journey to Madinah or Jeddah seamless, with a simple barcode scan, they pay their services at the airport, get a bus easily, move to their accommodation without hassles.

“They enjoy all services like food in Makkah, Madinah, health, transportation, Masha’ir and so on very easy.”

He also thanked the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) under Amb. Ismail Yusuf, and the Forum of State Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Muslim Pilgrims Boards, Agencies, and Commissions led by Malam Idris Almakura for their maximum cooperation that made 2026 Hajj a tremendous success.

“The excellent coordination and mutual understanding exhibited by the NAHCON leadership and its staff members are unprecedented.

“The officials of State Muslim Pilgrims Boards, Agencies, and Commissions have also contributed tremendously in making 2026 Hajj a memorable one to our esteemed pilgrims,” he said.

Kalantan attributed the 2026 Hajj operation success to the NAHCON’s leadership steadfastness and managerial acumen as well as the state pilgrims CEOs resilience and statesmanship. (NAN)

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