Hajj 2026: No extension of Saudi deadlines, NAHCON warns stakeholders

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday warned stakeholders in Nigeria’s Hajj industry that there would be no extension of deadlines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities for the 2026 Hajj operations, urging strict compliance with the timelines.

The commission emphasised that there would be no deadline extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, immediately after the conclusion of the 2025 Hajj, announced the commencement of preparations for the 2026 exercise and released the official timelines.

According to the Saudi calendar, participating countries are required to finalise their housing contracts in Makkah and Madinah by February 1, 2026, while visa issuance will begin on February 8, 2026, and close on March 20, 2026. Pilgrims are expected to begin arriving in the Kingdom from April 18, 2026.

Speaking at a post-2025 Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with licensed tour operators at the Hajj House headquarters in Abuja, NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, reaffirmed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders while insisting on total compliance with the deadlines.

According to him, NAHCON is committed not only to collaboration but also to fairness and transparency, with the goal of improving service delivery and meeting global best practices.

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“The Commission is committed to collaboration, fairness, and transparency. But at the same time, we expect total compliance from all stakeholders as we work together to improve service delivery and meet global best practices,” he said.

Usman also expressed deep appreciation to the state pilgrims’ welfare boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their contributions to the success of the 2025 Hajj operations. He further acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which, according to him, enabled Nigerian pilgrims to perform Hajj with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.

On the operational guidelines for the 2026 Hajj, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, strongly cautioned stakeholders to adhere strictly to the official Saudi Hajj calendar and ensure early preparations.

According to him, “The Saudis have made it very clear — the dates on their calendar will not be extended by even a minute. Gone are the days when you could beg for extra weeks to process visas. For 2026, if the portal closes today, it closes today.”

He recalled the 2025 Hajj experience, where many stakeholders wrongly assumed extensions would be granted, leading to missed deadlines and lost participation slots. He also reflected on the unexpected challenges encountered during this year’s Arafat, describing them as valuable lessons for the upcoming season.

“What happened in 2025 has given us insight and direction. We must learn from it, plan better, and work faster. The Saudi system has changed, and we must adapt quickly,” he added.

Also addressing the meeting, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq, briefed participants on refunds, pending complaints, and payment processes. He appealed to licensed tour operators to make early and timely payments for all Hajj-related obligations, stressing that the Saudi authorities would not grant extensions for contractual agreements or visa processing in 2026.

On his part, the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal, commended tour operators for their successful outing during the 2025 Hajj. He urged all stakeholders to continue cooperating with NAHCON, ensure early payments, and make adequate preparations for an improved 2026 Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE