By Sarah NEGEDU
It’s jubilation at one of the pilgrim accommodations in Makkah, as Nigerian pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory finally received their Nusuk Cards after days of uncertainty.
The Abuja Inquirer had reported that the delays in issuance of the Nusuk cards had caused anxiety among the FCT contingent, many of whom feared they would be unable to access key religious sites in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
Nusuk card is a critical digital permits required for participation in the core rites of the 2025 Hajj.
The situation was particularly tense at “House 3,” one of the main lodgings for Abuja pilgrims where emotions had run high amid days of waiting with no clear resolution in sight.
Although pilgrims were initially advised to rely on soft copies downloaded from the Saudi Nusuk app, this temporary workaround led to repeated verification hurdles and growing apprehension as the days to the Hajj rituals narrowed.
However relief came late Tuesday morning, when the physical cards were finally distributed. Our correspondent gathered that the mood at House 3 immediately changed as pilgrims exchanged prayers and embraces, expressing gratitude that their participation in the sacred rites was no longer in doubt.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the intervention of senior Nigerian officials on ground proved instrumental. The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and Senator Ali Ndume, who is also performing the pilgrimage, reportedly engaged Saudi and NAHCON officials directly to fast-track the delayed process.
Similarly, officials of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, led by Director Malam Kadiri Edah, were also praised for their role in navigating the bureaucratic bottleneck.
One pilgrim, Alhaji Usman Bello, said a huge burden was lifted the moment he received his Nusuk card.
Describing how the intervention of Nigerian officials revived hope, the pilgrim said, “We thank Senator Ndume and the Honourable Minister for stepping in. Their intervention brought us hope and, eventually, our Nusuk Cards. We can now focus on our worship without distraction.”
Another pilgrim, Hajiya Maryam, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the days of waiting had been emotionally taxing.
“We had sleepless nights, worrying we might be left behind. Today, I cried tears of joy. I pray Allah rewards everyone who worked to resolve this.”
While exact details remain unclear, inside sources attributed the delay to logistical lapses and processing backlogs on the part of some Saudi service providers.
Though NAHCON had earlier assured pilgrims that the cards would be delivered in time, the mounting pressure and emotional toll led many to appeal directly to senior Nigerian officials on ground.
In response, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud and Senator Ndume reportedly held discussions with key Saudi officials and NAHCON representatives, urging expedited action to resolve the matter.
A NAHCON official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that all affected FCT pilgrims have now received their cards, acknowledging the impact of high-level engagement in accelerating the process.
“We appreciate the patience of the pilgrims. The intervention by our senior officials undoubtedly helped fast-track the process,” the official said.
With the critical hurdle now cleared, FCT pilgrims have turned their focus fully to spiritual preparation ahead of the Day of Arafat, which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage.
