2026 Hajj: Plateau Gives One-Week Screening Deadline, Eyes 1,128 Visas
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Plateau State Muslim Welfare Board has issued a one-week deadline for intending pilgrims to complete their medical screening as it intensifies preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The Board said the directive is aimed at fast-tracking visa processing for its 1,128 registered pilgrims, whose data have already been fully uploaded without discrepancies.
Speaking in an interview with Hajj Gazette, the Head of Information of the Board, Amina Hamisu Ismail, confirmed that Plateau State has no issues with pilgrim data capture, describing medical screening as the only outstanding requirement.
“Our 1,128 pilgrims are fully captured. We don’t have any problem with the number of pilgrims’ data uploaded. Our only challenge now is medical screening,” she said.
According to Ismail, over 50 percent of the intending pilgrims have undergone the mandatory medical tests, stating that the Board is pushing to achieve full compliance within the one-week window.
“We are constantly announcing and sensitizing our intending pilgrims to come for medical screening. That is what we are battling with. With the numbers we have screened so far, we are ready for visa processing,” she added.
Medical screening remains a critical prerequisite in the Hajj process, as it determines pilgrims’ fitness and ensures compliance with Saudi health regulations.
Failure to meet the screening deadline could delay visa issuance and subsequent travel arrangements.
According to Ismail, with data capture completed and more than half of the pilgrims medically screened, the state’s focus is now on closing the remaining gap to secure all 1,128 visas within schedule.
