A Saudi Arabian Hajj service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah (Sana), has pledged that all Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2027 Hajj will receive their NUSUK cards before departing for Saudi Arabia. The assurance was given by the company's Head of Nigerian Operations for the 2026 Hajj and board member, Mr Muhammad Kamil Kalantan, during an interview at his office in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement issued by the company's media office, the initiative follows the successful pilot implementation of pre-departure NUSUK card distribution for pilgrims from Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Mr Kalantan explained that the company introduced the programme after observing the challenges experienced by Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj due to delays in obtaining the cards.
“We have observed the difficulties Nigerian pilgrims went through in 2025 Hajj arising from the NUSUK card 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 in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
He noted that the distribution process during the 2026 Hajj was significantly smoother than in the previous year, prompting the company to expand the programme nationwide.
“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, inshaAllah,” he stated.
Highlighting the importance of the NUSUK card in Hajj operations, Kalantan said timely issuance would simplify the pilgrimage experience and improve service delivery.
“The NUSUK card is central to Hajj. When every pilgrim gets it in time, it makes the entire Hajj operation seamless and less cumbersome.”
He further explained the benefits of receiving the card before departure.
“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 for 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 easily."
Kalantan also commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), led by Ambassador Ismail Abbas Yusuf, and the Forum of State Chief Executive Officers of Muslim Pilgrims Boards, Agencies and Commissions, chaired by Malam Idris Almakura, for their contributions to the success of the 2026 Hajj.
“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.
He added that the achievements recorded during the pilgrimage were largely due to the commitment and leadership displayed by the relevant authorities.
“The 2026 Hajj operation success is possible courtesy NAHCON’s leadership steadfastness and managerial acumen as well as the state pilgrims CEOs resilience and statesmanship,” Mr Kalantan said.