The first wave of Nigerian pilgrims has started arriving in the holy city of Madinah ahead of the 2025 Hajj rites, with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) fully mobilized to ensure a smooth and dignified reception process.
According to updates from the NAHCON officials stationed in Saudi Arabia, the commission’s National Reception and Accommodation teams are operating 24 hours a day to welcome Nigerian pilgrims as they touch down at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah. These teams are tasked with receiving the faithful, settling them into their designated accommodations, and providing all necessary guidance to ensure their comfort and orientation in the Holy Land.
Pilgrims are being lodged in hotels strategically located within the Markaziyya area — a prime zone near the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi), ensuring easy access for worshippers. Upon arrival at the hotels, each pilgrim is assigned a specific bed space and is guided on how to use the room and shared facilities.
NAHCON officials and state pilgrimage board representatives are also on ground to help the pilgrims familiarise themselves with their surroundings, including routes to the Prophet’s Mosque, prayer schedules, meal timings, and hotel protocols. The goal, officials say, is to make the experience seamless, spiritually fulfilling, and free from avoidable stress.
A senior official with NAHCON noted that the commission has improved its coordination mechanism this year, deploying more Arabic-speaking volunteers, digital communication tools, and location guides to help pilgrims navigate the sacred environment with ease.
So far, pilgrims from states including Kano, Sokoto, and Lagos have arrived in batches, with more expected over the coming days. The commission has reiterated its commitment to upholding high standards of welfare, security, and hospitality for every Nigerian pilgrim throughout their stay in both Madinah and Makkah.
The early arrival in Madinah gives the pilgrims ample time for visitation and prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque — one of the three holiest sites in Islam — before proceeding to Makkah for the main Hajj rites in the coming weeks.
As Nigeria continues its annual religious engagement with Saudi Arabia, the 2025 Hajj season promises a renewed focus on excellence, safety, and spiritual depth, with NAHCON playing a central role in ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims feel at home even thousands of miles away.
