‘Best hajj experience in 45 years’: Kaduna delegation leader lauds 2026 pilgrimage

The leader of Kaduna State 2026 Hajj Delegation to Saudi Arabia, Abubakar Mustapha, has described this year’s pilgrimage as his best since he first performed hajj 45 years ago.

Mustapha, who said he first came for hajj in 1981 and had subsequently led Kaduna Ste Delegation as Amirul Hajj in 1999, commended the Salihu Abubakar-led management of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency for conducting a transparent and hitch-free exercise.

Mustapha said this when he led other members of the delegation to the Ibrahim Khalil residence of Kaduna State pilgrims in Makkah, to congratulate them for a successful Hajj exercise, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Mustapha, who is a former Head of Kaduna State Civil Service, said the delegation has not received report of any unruly behaviour from the pilgrims.

He further urged them to remain disciplined and orderly, by following all the guidelines that have been laid down by Saudi authorities, in order to fast-track their return journey to Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Salihu Abubakar, stated that the pilgrims cooperated fully with his staff and management to achieve a seamless Hajj exercise.

He however urged them to extend the same cooperation as they prepare to return home after a successful pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which officially ended last Saturday.

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Abubakar, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa, disclosed that Saudi authorities have introduced strict guidelines regarding pilgrims’ luggage, adding that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has already ratified them.

According to him, every Nigerian pilgrim is entitled to two big bags, which must not exceed 23 kilograms each, and a hand luggage whose weight should not be more than 8 kilograms.

The chairman also warned that on no occasion should any pilgrim exceed those prescribed kilograms.

He said weighing of the two big bags must end two days before the airlift, adding that officials of the company handling the cargo will come to pilgrims’ residences to collect them.

Abubakar stated that hand luggage will be loaded into the vehicles that will convey pilgrims to the airport, five hours before leaving for Jeddah, maintaining that pilgrims will board the buses empty handed.

He stressed that these new measures have been introduced to ensure timely departure of pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Nigeria, pleading that pilgrims should not see them as inconveniences.