All Nigerian pilgrims will receive their NUSUK cards before departing for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage. Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah (Sana), a Saudi Arabian service provider, made this commitment known on Thursday.
Muhammad Kamil Kalantan, the company's Head of Nigerian Operations for 2026 Hajj, disclosed this in Makkah. He spoke from his office in the holy city.
Only Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory received cards in Nigeria during this year's pilgrimage. All other states missed out on the pre-departure distribution.
The company took a bold step ahead of 2026 Hajj by sending staff to Nigeria. They worked to issue NUSUK cards to intending pilgrims before travel.
Kalantan noted the challenges pilgrims faced in 2025 without early card distribution. "We observed the difficulties," he explained to reporters.
The team deployed to Nigeria tested and operated the NUSUK card program. Pilgrims from Lagos and FCT obtained their cards at home before Saudi Arabia.
According to Kalantan, this year's process went smoothly compared to 2025. The improvement convinced the company to scale up nationwide.
He stressed that NUSUK cards are vital to Hajj operations. "When every pilgrim gets it in time, it makes the entire Hajj operation seamless," Kalantan said.
With cards issued in Nigeria, pilgrims enjoy faster airport processing. A simple barcode scan handles service payments at the airport.
Bus transportation becomes easier once pilgrims arrive in Jeddah or Madinah. They move to accommodations without delays or complications.
In Makkah and Madinah, services flow smoothly for card holders. Food access, healthcare, transportation, and Masha'ir logistics all run efficiently.
Kalantan, a board member of the company, praised Nigeria's Hajj leadership. He thanked Ambassador Ismail Abbas Yusuf, who heads the National Hajj Commission.
State Muslim Pilgrims Boards also earned his commendation for their efforts. Malam Idris Almakura leads the forum representing these state bodies.
According to him, cooperation between agencies made 2026 Hajj successful. "The excellent coordination and mutual understanding are unprecedented," Kalantan noted.
NAHCON staff displayed remarkable commitment to the operation. State commission officials contributed significantly to making pilgrim experiences memorable.
Kalantan credited NAHCON's leadership for steady management and skill. He also praised state CEO officials for their dedication and leadership.
