About 2,717 Nigerian pilgrims have been disqualified from participating in the 2025 Hajj following failure to meet crucial visa processing deadlines, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed.
A statement issued on Monday by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication at NAHCON, said repeated deadline extensions and warnings were issued, but the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia declined any further grace period.
The exclusion, according to NAHCON, was largely due to late payments and poor coordination by state pilgrim boards and private tour operators.
Usara disclosed that out of the 14,158 pilgrims registered through the private sector, only 13,217 successfully secured visas before the final closure of the Saudi visa portal on 19 May 2025.
“In the light of the above, NAHCON wishes to console those affected by the visa closure to have faith, knowing that Hajj is an answer to Allah’s call,” she stated.
Usara noted that although official visa registration closed on 19 April, NAHCON had secured a one-month extension to accommodate delays. Despite this additional window, a significant number of intending pilgrims were unable to meet the revised deadline.
The commission revealed it had negotiated four separate extensions between the start of the Hajj registration period and the final date, encompassing fare payment and visa processing.
“Despite several warnings indicating that visa issuance would cease by 19 April 2025, some intending pilgrims still delayed in submitting their Hajj payments,” the statement added.
NAHCON confirmed that it had made a formal appeal to the Saudi authorities for more time, which initially resulted in a successful extension. However, after 19 May, the Kingdom denied any further access to the visa system.
In a related development, the commission raised concerns over unauthorised accommodation deals being arranged by some tour operators. Usara cautioned that certain operators were sidestepping official NAHCON procedures by offering premium Tent A+ accommodation services outside the commission’s recognised provider.
She stressed, “NAHCON affirms that it recognises only Rawaf Mina Company as the authorised provider of Tent A+ services for the 2025 Hajj. The commission will not accept responsibility for any consequences arising from unapproved arrangements.”
Tour operators were warned against engaging in parallel agreements that could breach Saudi regulations or endanger the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
NAHCON urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to official processes in order to avoid further complications
