The Kano State Government has started daily transportation services for pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj in Saudi Arabia, fulfilling a key welfare promise to help them reach the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
The initiative, which took effect immediately after the Day of Arafat, is aimed at easing the transportation challenges faced by pilgrims and enabling them to conveniently observe the five daily prayers at Masjid Al-Haram.
The Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Matawalle, disclosed the gesture at a news conference in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
He said the state government had concluded all necessary arrangements to ensure the smooth transportation of pilgrims between their hotels and the Holy Mosque daily.
The DG explained that the intervention was part of the administration’s commitment to enhancing the welfare and spiritual experience of Kano pilgrims throughout their stay in the Holy Land.
According to him, dedicated buses have been deployed to convey pilgrims to and from Masjid Al-Haram on a daily basis, allowing them to perform their religious obligations with greater ease and comfort.
“The transportation arrangement is designed to reduce the stress associated with movement to the Grand Mosque, especially for elderly pilgrims and those who may find it difficult to walk long distances. We urge all pilgrims to make proper use of the facilities and handle them responsibly,” Matawalle stated.
In fulfilment of the government’s promise, the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 Hajj exercise and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, officially flagged off the buses designated for the exercise.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Amirul Hajj said the transportation support was introduced to ensure that pilgrims have unhindered access to the Holy Mosque, where they can devote more time to prayers, supplications, and acts of worship.
He noted that the gesture reflects the determination of the Kano State Government under Governor Yusuf to prioritize the comfort and welfare of pilgrims while enabling them to derive maximum spiritual benefits from the sacred pilgrimage.
A total of eight buses, each with a carrying capacity of over fifty passengers, have been deployed for the operation. The buses have been strategically assigned to various accommodation centres housing Kano pilgrims to ensure efficiency and timely movement.
Meanwhile, the state Amirul Hajj and his Deputy also supervised the distribution and dispatch of pilgrims’ luggage in preparation for their return journey to Nigeria.
The Amirul Hajj advised pilgrims to comply strictly with the approved luggage regulations and avoid carrying items exceeding the stipulated weight limits.
Each pilgrim is entitled to two pieces of luggage weighing up to 23 kilograms each, bringing the total allowable baggage to 46 kilograms per pilgrim.