The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has affirmed Kebbi State's full preparedness for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Ambassador Isma'il Ahmad, NAHCON chairman, expressed satisfaction following an inspection of Hajj facilities in Birnin Kebbi, carried out by the North West zonal commissioner, Muhammad Usman, who represented him. The delegation assessed logistics, security, and welfare arrangements for pilgrims ahead of the airlift scheduled to begin on 2nd May, 2026, at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport. Ahmad stated that NAHCON's primary concerns—pilgrim facilities and safety—had been adequately addressed by the state. He described Kebbi's preparations as "perfect" and "worthy of emulation" across other states. Faruku Aliyu Yaro, executive chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, confirmed that all travel documents, including visas, uniforms, bags, and medical clearances, had been secured. He noted that all pilgrims had undergone medical screening to meet Saudi Arabia's health requirements and that Kebbi has the highest number of pilgrims in Nigeria who have fully paid their pilgrimage fees.
Kebbi leading in Hajj readiness while others lag speaks volumes about uneven governance across states. With the highest number of fully paid pilgrims and complete documentation in place by late 2025, the state has set a benchmark NAHCON should now enforce nationally. This level of preparedness shows what focused state-level execution can achieve without waiting for federal prodding. Other states may need more than inspection visits—they may need accountability.
