The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged State Pilgrims' Welfare Boards, commissions and agencies to conclude the grouping of pilgrims into 45s and conclude data upload to the e-track portal latest by Friday, April 26, 2024.

A statement by NAHCON's Deputy Director, Information & Publications Division, Mousa Ubandawaki, said the groupings are intended for ease of visa issuance on the Saudi Visa e-track platform.

It added that the notice is in conformance with the mandatory Saudi policy on Tafweej grouping for the 2024 Hajj movement.

"It would be recalled that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced new measures for this year's Hajj operations, one of which is the mandatory grouping of pilgrims into groups of 45. Hence, pilgrim's visas will be issued only when they complete a group of 45."

It also encouraged pilgrims who wished to travel together in desired groups to meet their respective state pilgrims' welfare boards to be grouped together, "as this is the only avenue to arrange to travel with those whom you wish."

"It should be noted that these groups of 45 will always conduct their Hajj activities together; from departure from Nigeria, accommodation and movement in both Makkah and Madinah, Masha'ir activities and journey back to Nigeria.

"The commission wishes to reiterate that this is the last chance given by the Saudis to conclude all arrangements for group travel by intending pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj operations.

"After the expiration of this deadline, all pilgrims will remain confined with their selected group members whose visas will appear together."