2026 Hajj: Kano Board Clarifies Timing of Mandatory Medical Screening
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has clarified the reasons behind its decision to schedule mandatory medical screening for intending pilgrims beyond the deadline for pilgrims’ data capture.
The Board stressed that the exercise does not violate established guidelines for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The Public Relations and Information Officer of the Board, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, made the clarification in an interview with Hajj Gazette.
According to him, the mandatory medical screening is being conducted strictly for intending pilgrims whose data were successfully captured and uploaded within the stipulated timeframe.
He explained that the exercise was strategically aligned with the state’s proposed flight schedule to ensure operational efficiency and proper medical clearance ahead of airlift arrangements.
“We are only conducting mandatory medical screening for pilgrims who were successfully captured and uploaded. The screening was designed in line with our flight schedule,” Dederi said.
He further disclosed that the board met the February 8 deadline for pilgrims’ data capture, noting that all eligible intending pilgrims were duly processed before the cutoff date and time.
“We have been able to meet the February 8 deadline for pilgrims’ data capture. Our team successfully concluded the capturing of our intending pilgrims before the deadline,” he added.
He assured intending pilgrims and other stakeholders that the post-deadline medical screening does not in any way affect their status in the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Reaffirming the board’s commitment to adhering strictly to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) guidelines while ensuring the health, safety, and overall welfare of pilgrims from Kano State.
