The Director General, Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, has called for the quick intervention of the Nigerian Immigration Service to ensure timely processing of international passports for the state’s pilgrims so as to meet the Hajj visa deadline.
The call was contained in a statement by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Dederi on Tuesday.
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According to Dederi, the DG made the call during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Immigration Service Passport Control Office, Farm Center in Kano on Tuesday.
Recall that the newly appointed Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, assumed office on Monday.
His appointment followed the resignation of the former DG, who resigned his appointment after Governor Yusuf defected to All Progressives Congress on Monday, 26th January 2026.
Matawalle explained that with the approaching deadline for the 2026 Hajj visa on 8th February 2026, many intending pilgrims are yet to receive their international passports.
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“As you know the deadline for the 2026 Hajj visa is on 8th February 2026, and many intending pilgrims are yet to collect their international passports,” he said.
He stressed that urgent intervention was required to avoid pilgrims missing the visa deadline.
To address the challenge, the Director General disclosed that the board plans to design a special identification form that will enable Immigration officials to easily identify pilgrims requiring urgent passport processing.
Responding, the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration in charge of the Passport Control Office, Farm Center , Kano, Aliyu Hamisu Nguroje, assured the board of the Service’s commitment to do everything possible to assist the pilgrims in meeting the set target.
Nguroje welcomed the board’s initiative to introduce a special form, noting that it would enhance cooperation and ensure diligent collaboration between both institutions for effective service delivery.
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He also expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and appropriate.
During the visit, the new DG was accompanied by all Directors of the board.
