The Ogun State Government says it has registered 740 intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj after the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) adopted the pilgrimage calendar.
Alhaji Ajibola Taiwo, Executive Secretary, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta on Monday.
Taiwo said the state initially received 638 slots but secured an additional 100 slots from NAHCON, bringing the allocation to 738.
However, he said the total number of pilgrims rose to 740 with the inclusion of two officials.
He said all intending pilgrims had been uploaded on relevant platforms and were awaiting visa approval from Saudi Arabian authorities.
The executive secretary said the state’s Hajj operations had been restructured to meet the Saudi Arabian requirements with the registration of “RIYE” Hajj and Umrah Services.
He explained that “RIYE,” representing the four geographical blocks of Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba, was established to facilitate the state’s Hajj and Umrah operations.
Taiwo said the Saudi authorities mandated the registration, directing states across the federation to enrol their pilgrimage services under private-sector operators.
He said Ogun has, therefore, complied with the directive by establishing and registering RIYE Hajj and Umrah Services.
According to him, pilgrims will be airlifted from Gateway International Airport, Iperu, as in the previous pilgrimage.
“I appreciate the state government for providing this opportunity.
“The use of the airport will help to address the prolonged flight delays previously experienced by pilgrims,” he said.
Taiwo, however, added that the board was yet to receive the required vaccine allocation for the medical screening of intending pilgrims ahead of the exercise.
He said four vaccines were administered in the last exercise and that the number is expected to increase for the 2027 pilgrimage.
The executive secretary added that intending pilgrims, aged 40 and above, would undergo comprehensive medical screening and be issued medical fitness certificates accordingly.
