2026 Hajj: Gombe Pilgrims Board Completes Data Capture for 960 Intending Pilgrims
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the successful completion of data capture for all 960 intending pilgrims from the state ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise, meeting the stipulated deadline set by Saudi Arabian authorities.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Sa’adu Hassan, disclosed this in an interview with Hajj Gazette while providing an update on the state’s preparedness for the 2026 pilgrimage.
According to him, the exercise was executed seamlessly, underscoring the board’s operational efficiency and commitment to proactive planning.
“We were able to conclude data capture of all our 960 intending pilgrims before the deadline. In fact, we uploaded a total of 964 records, which included members of our medical team,” Hassan stated.
However, he explained that subsequent clarification from the authorities indicated that visas for medical personnel attached to Hajj operations are to be issued centrally by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), rather than through state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
“In line with this directive, we will request the deletion of the medical team from our allocated quota so that their details can be uploaded directly by NAHCON,” the Executive Secretary added.
Hassan emphasized that the development does not affect the status of the intending pilgrims from Gombe State, whose data capture and upload have been fully concluded in compliance with national guidelines.
He described the early completion as a strategic milestone that positions the state favorably for subsequent stages of the Hajj process, including visa processing and travel logistics.
The Board has continued to project confidence in its preparedness for the 2026 Hajj, reaffirming its commitment to working closely with NAHCON and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated pilgrimage for pilgrims from the state.
