State Pilgrims’ Boards Call for Standard Pilgrims’ Education Module
By Abdulrazq Auwal
State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards have called for the development of a standard pilgrims’ education module to ensure intending pilgrims across Nigeria receive uniform and comprehensive orientation before embarking on Hajj.
The Acting Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Malam Abubakar Gurin, made the call while speaking on behalf of the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards Forum during a breakout session at the National Hajj Stakeholders’ Summit in Abuja.
The forum said a harmonized education module would strengthen pilgrims’ preparedness, improve compliance with Hajj procedures and enhance the overall management of the annual pilgrimage.
According to the representative, the proposal forms part of broader reforms aimed at addressing operational challenges experienced during the 2026 Hajj exercise and improving coordination among key stakeholders.
The forum also highlighted difficulties associated with the Nusuk card system, noting that some pilgrims from states including Adamawa and Ondo were unable to move freely because their cards were not available until the final day before their departure from Makkah.
State Pilgrims’ Boards Call for Standard Pilgrims’ Education Module
It said the delays created anxiety and uncertainty among affected pilgrims and underscored the need for better planning and stronger coordination between service providers and Hajj authorities.
Beyond pilgrims’ education, the forum urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to deepen collaboration with state pilgrims’ welfare boards in key operational decisions.
The representative said the forum had repeatedly presented its position on airline selection and pilgrims’ allocation to relevant authorities, including the National Assembly. He stressed that state pilgrims’ boards should play an active role in selecting airlines for Hajj operations.
“We understand there are technicalities involved, but let us be part of the process,” he said, adding that state boards should also have the opportunity to choose their preferred airlines for transporting their pilgrims.
The forum expressed confidence that greater consultation with state boards, combined with a standard pilgrims’ education module and improved operational planning, would strengthen future Hajj exercises, minimize avoidable challenges and deliver a more seamless pilgrimage experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
