Kano Receives 2026 Hajj Visas For Pilgrims To Saudi Arabia Amid Middle-East Tension
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that visas for all registered pilgrims from the state intending to participate in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia have been received and printed, amid growing concerns among Nigerian travellers over flight disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The Director General of the board, Abubakar Matawalle, confirmed the development through the board’s Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Dederi, in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, Matawalle, who is currently in Saudi Arabia coordinating arrangements for the pilgrimage, assured intending pilgrims that the state is not facing any difficulties in the visa processing stage.
“The Director General has assured the public that the board is not facing any challenges regarding visa processing for pilgrims from the state as the board has received their visas,” the statement said.
Matawalle urged intending pilgrims and members of the public to ignore rumours suggesting delays or problems with the issuance of Hajj visas for Kano pilgrims.
He also warned against spreading unverified information, fake online links, or misleading messages capable of creating confusion among pilgrims and their families.
Officials of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, according to the statement, are already in Saudi Arabia working to ensure that all logistics and welfare arrangements are in place before the commencement of the pilgrimage.
“The board reassures all registered pilgrims that adequate preparations are ongoing to guarantee their welfare, safety and proper coordination throughout the Hajj exercise,” the statement added.
Matawalle also disclosed that the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for intending pilgrims is currently being processed and will be made available in due course.
The reassurance from Kano authorities comes at a time when uncertainty has gripped Nigerian pilgrims and private tour operators following disruptions to international flight operations caused by escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Several countries in the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, announced partial airspace closures after military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets triggered security concerns across the region.
The development forced many international airlines — including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir and Lufthansa — to suspend or cancel some services across affected routes.
Despite the disruptions, Saudia has continued flight operations as Saudi Arabia has not officially closed its airspace.
The situation has already affected some intending Nigerian travellers.
Alhaji Auwal Sani, who planned to travel from Kano earlier in the week for Umrah using Qatar Airways, said his trip was abruptly halted after his flight was cancelled.
“I was to travel using Qatar Airways, but I got a message from them that the ticket had been opened after it was cancelled. Also, the visa has not been issued to me yet, and I planned to travel with my family today, but we were all stranded,” he said.
Another intending traveller, Salihu Shu’aibu, said the growing instability in the region has made him reconsider his trip.
“With what is happening, I am thinking whether I will cancel the trip because I am afraid,” he said.
Similarly, Hajiya Bilkisu said she had decided to postpone her pilgrimage until next year due to safety concerns.
“I cannot risk it, honestly. I cannot leave behind my family while I am not certain of a safe trip. We all have faith, but this feels like gambling,” she said.
In Ilorin, another intending traveller, Ola Abdul, said the geopolitical tensions had complicated his preparations for the religious journey.
“Before now, my problem was getting the money to complete my payment. But now, with the situation in the region, I don’t know what to do,” he said.
Despite these concerns, Kano authorities insist preparations for the 2026 Hajj are progressing smoothly and that registered pilgrims from the state will be fully supported throughout the pilgrimage exercise.
Matawalle urged intending pilgrims and members of the public to ignore rumours suggesting delays or problems with the issuance of Hajj visas for Kano pilgrims.
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