From Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has fixed September 26th, 2026 as the final deadline for the remittance of the 2027 Hajj fare by intending pilgrims.
The acting Executive Secretary of Taraba State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alh. Abubakar Usman Tanko disclosed this during a press briefing in Jalingo.
According to him, the preparation for the 2027 Hajj has already commenced with an initial deposit of N7 million.
He also disclosed that the board has concluded all arrangements to commence a state-wide sensitization campaign to educate intending pilgrims on the new policies and guidelines from the Saudi Authorities.
While urging the 2027 intending participants to pay their hajj fares early to enable the Board to meet NAHCON’s deadline to avoid any disappointment, the Board Executive Scriber assured that Pilgrim Board remains committed to ensuring a hitch-free and spiritually rewarding hajj exercise for Taraba pilgrims.
Also speaking on the just concluded 2026 Hajj Exercise, Abubakar Usman Tanko described it as successful pointing out that a total of 714 pilgrims from the state successfully performed the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
He however, expressed sadness over two unfortunate incidents that claimed life of one pilgrim and an amputation of hand from another in an auto-crash before departure to holy land and prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and quick recovery for the injured.
On the challenges of the last 2026 Hajj Operation, Tanko Usman attributed the low turnout to late payment of Hajj fares by intending pilgrims, which denied many of them the opportunity to be registered before the deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
He commended the state government for its financial and moral support to the Board during the 2026 Hajj.
The acting Executive Secretary, however, called for an increase in the number of Hajj guidelines to meet the international standard to one official to 44 pilgrims, noting that the current number is inadequate to provide effective service to pilgrims in the holy land.
