Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has appointed the Etsu Tsaragi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwa Goshi II, as the Ameerul-Hajj for the state’s contingent to the 2026 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

The appointment was announced on Thursday in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. The monarch will lead Kwara’s delegation of Muslim pilgrims to the annual Hajj.

“As Ameerul-Hajj, Etsu Aliyu Abdullahi is expected to lead pilgrims from the state to the holy land and coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure the welfare and smooth participation of Kwara pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage,” the statement said.

The Ameerul-Hajj serves as head of delegation and liaison between pilgrims and both Nigerian and Saudi authorities, overseeing welfare and operational matters during the exercise.

The government said preparations for the 2026 Hajj have commenced across the state. The main rites are expected to take place in the last week of May 2026, corresponding to Dhul-Hijjah 1447AH in the Islamic calendar.

Hajj is projected to hold between May 25 and May 30, 2026, subject to the sighting of the moon, which determines the exact dates. Pilgrims are typically advised to arrive in Saudi Arabia at least one to two weeks before the commencement of the rites.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a smooth and hitch-free pilgrimage for all participants from Kwara.