The Borno State Deputy Governor, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, has received the North-East Commissioner of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Abba Jato Kato, and other officials of the commission on a courtesy visit to the state.
The visit, which took place at the Council Chamber of the Deputy Governor’s Office in Maiduguri, was aimed at briefing the state government on new policies introduced by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah ahead of the 2027 Hajj operation.
Addressing the Deputy Governor, the NAHCON North-East Commissioner said the Saudi authorities had introduced a major shift in Hajj administration, moving from the traditional government-to-government arrangement towards a private tour operators’ model known as Business-to-Business (B2B).
He explained that Saudi Arabia initially proposed that 98 percent of Nigeria’s Hajj quota be transferred immediately to the new model. However, following negotiations, NAHCON secured a concession limiting the transition to 30 percent of Nigeria’s quota in 2027, thereby providing a three-year transition period.
Jato stressed the urgency of complying with the new requirements, particularly the deadline for uploading pilgrims’ registration data, adding that
September 26, 2026, is the final deadline, with no extension expected from the Saudi authorities.
He also highlighted the mandatory health requirements for pilgrims, including health fitness certification. According to him, pilgrims with major organ failure, severe neurological or psychiatric conditions, pregnancy, or active infectious diseases will not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.
The commissioner further disclosed that visa issuance for Hajj officials would be subject to the completion of mandatory training and professional qualification requirements. He also announced new medical personnel requirements, with a minimum ratio of 1.5 doctors and 1.7 nurses per 1,000 pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj operation.
Responding, Deputy Governor Kadafur reaffirmed the Borno State Government’s commitment to ensuring a successful Hajj operation under the leadership of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.
He said the state government would direct the Borno State Pilgrims Welfare Board and other relevant stakeholders to accord the highest priority to pilgrims’ registration, documentation and payment processes to ensure compliance with the Saudi deadline.
Kadafur stressed the importance of meeting the deadline, particularly because of Borno’s peculiar security and geographical circumstances, noting that the state shares borders with neighbouring countries and has, for decades, served as a major route for people from neighbouring countries.
He assured the delegation that the state would continue to support measures aimed at improving Hajj administration and expressed the ambition of making Borno a model for other states in Nigeria.
“We can show Nigeria and indeed the Saudi authorities that we can transit to the new era without leaving a single pilgrim behind,” the Deputy Governor said.
