Iliyasu S. Yahaya
Abuja, Nigeria
Thousands of intending pilgrims across Nigeria and other Muslim countries may be at risk of missing the 2026 Hajj following the closure of Saudi Arabia’s official data capture portal, a critical platform required for processing pilgrims’ travel and visa documentation.
The Saudi authorities reportedly shut down the portal after the expiration of the deadline set for the submission of pilgrims’ bio-data, passport details, and other mandatory information needed for Hajj visa issuance and logistics planning. The development has raised concern among pilgrims who are yet to complete their registration, as well as among Hajj officials responsible for coordinating the annual pilgrimage.
Officials of Hajj regulatory bodies, including Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), have urged intending pilgrims to remain calm while efforts are being made to engage Saudi authorities for possible extensions or special consideration for late entries. However, they warned that chances of reopening the portal remain uncertain, given Saudi Arabia’s strict compliance with Hajj timelines.
According to industry stakeholders, the data capture process is central to allocating accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation arrangements, feeding contracts, and visa approvals. Any pilgrim whose data is not successfully uploaded before the deadline may be unable to secure a Hajj visa, effectively ruling them out of this year’s pilgrimage.
Some intending pilgrims expressed frustration, blaming delays on travel agencies, state pilgrim boards, and technical issues that slowed down data submission. Others appealed to authorities to intervene urgently, noting that many had already completed payments and made personal arrangements in anticipation of the journey.
Saudi Arabia has in recent years tightened its Hajj management system, emphasizing early planning and digital compliance to ensure crowd control, safety, and efficiency during the pilgrimage. The closure of the portal is part of this structured timeline, aimed at finalizing logistics well ahead of the Hajj season.
As discussions continue, Hajj officials have advised intending pilgrims who have not completed their data capture to stay in contact with their respective state boards or tour operators for updates, while also preparing for the possibility of deferring their pilgrimage to a future year if no extension is granted.
