Jigawa Beats NAHCON Deadline, Completes Major 2027 Hajj Preparations
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has completed all major preparations for the 2027 Hajj and is fully prepared to meet the September 26 deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Director General of the Board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, said Jigawa had planned ahead of the deadlines issued by both NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, allowing the state to complete key financial and administrative requirements before the cut-off date.
Labbo disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Hajj Gazette at his office, saying the state had made the necessary payments and uploaded all required pilgrims’ documents ahead of the deadline.
“We don’t have any problem with the September 26 deadline. We have made all payments ahead with the help of a loan from our governor, and we are now in the process of recovering the funds from our pilgrims,” he said.
According to him, the Board has also commenced preparations for the religious guidance of pilgrims, with religious leaders identified to accompany pilgrims from each of the state’s 27 Local Government Areas.
He said the religious leaders would serve as guides and provide pilgrims with the necessary Islamic orientation throughout the Hajj operation.
Jigawa Beats NAHCON Deadline, Completes Major 2027 Hajj Preparations
Labbo said the Board was now moving into an intensive enlightenment and sensitisation programme, known as BITA, following earlier sensitisation conducted during the registration and payment stages.
“Whenever an intending pilgrim comes for registration, we sensitise them and tell them the rules and regulations governing Hajj, especially international laws and regulations,” he said.
The DG expressed confidence that Jigawa would record another successful Hajj operation in 2027, attributing the state’s preparedness to its practice of planning well ahead of operational deadlines.
“I believe that the 2027 Hajj will also be a success for us because we have always planned ahead,” Labbo said.
His comments come as the September 26 deadline approaches for states and other stakeholders to complete payment and pilgrims’ data-upload requirements for the 2027 Hajj.
The Board has completed the major requirements and will now focus on pilgrim education, religious preparation and operational coordination ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
