2026 Hajj: NAHCON assures of well organised pilgrimage for Nigerians

… briefs Saudi on preparations

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the body’s dedication to ensuring a well-organised and spiritually fulfilling Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims next year in full alignment with the expectations of the Saudi authorities.

This is even as the Hajj commission expressed its commitment to stronger collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with a view to delivering a successful Hajj operation in 2026.

NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said these while briefing the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday.

The virtual meeting was part of ongoing consultations with the Saudi authorities to ensure seamless coordination for the upcoming Hajj.

According to Usman, “The Commission remains committed to fostering strong collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to deliver a successful 2026 Hajj.”

The NAHCON boss used the opportunity of the meeting to outline key milestones in Nigeria’s preparations, including the successful securing of initial camp bookings slots and associated services, fully aligned with the 2026 Hajj calendar released by the Saudi authorities.

On the critical issue of airlift, Usman informed the Saudi authorities that the commission was in the final stage of the process of appointing air carriers for the 2026 operation.

He said that NAHCON would shortly formalise and communicate the list of approved airlines to the Saydi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure alignment with Saudi aviation protocols and paving the way for slot allocations and flight schedule harmonization.

Speaking on tour operators, the chairman informed the Ministry that NAHCON was in the advanced stage of screening and would retain the same grouping of companies into 10 same as in previous year.

The Commission, according to Usman, would soon provide the names of lead companies and confirm that the tour companies would maintain the same camp zones as allocated in 2025.

Responding, the representative of the Saudi Ministry, Youssef Jamal Altharthi, commended NAHCON’s proactive efforts and emphasized the importance of early submission of pilgrims’ data to facilitate efficient planning.

The Saudi official also urged NAHCON to ensure compliance with health guidelines and advocated for early visa processing to enable the timely issuance of Nusuk cards.

Altharthi informed of a new policy requiring pilgrims to receive their Nusuk cards upon arrival at the airport in the Kingdom instead of receiving same at their hotels or during departure to Makkah. This, he said, was to streamline operations.

During the virtual meeting, Prof Usman was in company with top NAHCON officials, including the Commission of Policy, Research, Statistics,Infirmation and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof Abubakar A. Yagawal; Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olarenwaju Elegushi; Secretary to the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Ali; Director of Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Alidu Shutti and the SA General Duties to the Chairman, Dr Danbaba Haruna.

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