Date: May 14, 2026 l Reporter: Jan Porch
Fresh concerns have emerged over the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia after several pilgrims from Adamawa State reportedly became stranded without proper accommodation despite allegedly paying millions of naira for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
According to reports published by Sahara Reporters, some affected pilgrims claimed they were forced to sleep outdoors and endure harsh conditions, including mosquito attacks, after arriving in the holy land.
The pilgrims alleged that they paid more than ₦8 million each for the pilgrimage package but were left without hotel accommodation or proper welfare arrangements upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Several of the stranded pilgrims reportedly expressed frustration over what they described as negligence and poor coordination by officials responsible for organizing the pilgrimage.
One pilgrim was quoted as saying that many of them spent nights outside because there was nowhere prepared for them to stay. Others lamented that elderly pilgrims and women were among those affected by the situation.
The development has sparked outrage among relatives and concerned Nigerians, with many questioning how such conditions could occur despite the huge amount allegedly paid for the pilgrimage exercise.
Hajj is one of the most important religious obligations for Muslims, and Nigerian pilgrims travel yearly to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the sacred rites in Mecca and Medina.
Over the years, Nigerian pilgrims have occasionally raised complaints over accommodation, transportation, and welfare challenges during Hajj operations. Similar incidents involving stranded pilgrims and inadequate lodging have previously been reported during past pilgrimages.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official public response from the Adamawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board regarding the allegations.
The incident is expected to intensify calls for greater accountability, transparency, and improved welfare planning for Nigerian pilgrims participating in international religious exercises.