Sokoto Records 3,150 Pilgrims for 2027 Hajj, Seeks 500 More Slots

The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) has registered 3,150 intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj, following the allocation of an additional 300 slots to the state by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Chairman of the agency, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Sokoto on preparations for the forthcoming pilgrimage.

Musa explained that the additional 300 slots formed part of the 10,000 Hajj seats allocated to Nigeria by the Saudi Arabian authorities and subsequently distributed by NAHCON among states and licensed tour operators.

According to him, Sokoto used the additional allocation to accommodate some intending pilgrims who had already made payments through the agency and its Hajj Savings Scheme.

He said preparations for the 2027 Hajj had reached about 80 per cent, expressing confidence that the agency would complete the remaining arrangements within the required timeframe.

The chairman, however, disclosed that the state still requires another 500 slots to accommodate all eligible intending pilgrims.

“If we can get the 500 slots, I am sure we are going to exhaust it,” Musa said.

He noted that securing the additional slots may be difficult for now because Saudi Arabia had no further allocation available for Nigeria, adding that those affected would have to wait for another opportunity.

Musa further disclosed that the agency had remitted all payments for the 3,150 registered pilgrims to NAHCON, with each pilgrim paying a tentative fare of ₦7,682,862.60.

He commended the Sokoto State Government for its support towards the Hajj operation, saying the pilgrimage arrangements would not have been possible without the government’s substantial contribution, which he estimated at almost 100 per cent.

On preparations in Saudi Arabia, Musa said the agency was currently e-tracking pilgrims’ passports through the Saudi visa portal.

He added that officials would travel to Saudi Arabia next month to inspect accommodation and catering arrangements for Sokoto pilgrims, while preparations for pilgrims’ uniforms were also underway.

The chairman also disclosed that the agency had recently received several awards from NAHCON and other institutions in recognition of its activities, including an award presented to its Public Relations Officer by Hajj Reporters Portal.

Musa, however, identified the centralisation of Hajj passport issuance in Abuja and Lagos as a major challenge.

He said the policy had increased the time required to obtain passports from about one week to as much as three weeks, causing delays in the visa processing arrangements.

He appealed to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to consider decentralising the passport issuance process to facilitate smoother preparations for the annual pilgrimage.