Nigeria’s Hajj Commission Urges Stakeholders to Meet Saudi Timelines for 2026 Pilgrimage
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has issued a strong warning to all stakeholders involved in the 2026 Hajj operations to strictly adhere to the timelines set by Saudi Arabian authorities. The commission emphasized that there will be no deadline extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements, and urged stakeholders to make early preparations to avoid any last-minute challenges.
According to NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Anofiu Elegushi, the Saudi authorities have made it clear that they will not extend the dates on their calendar, and stakeholders must adapt to the new system. “Gone are the days when you could beg for extra weeks to process visas. For 2026, if the portal closes today, it closes today,” Elegushi warned.
The commissioner’s warning was issued during the Post-Hajj Stakeholders’ meeting with Licensed Tour Operator Companies in Abuja. He reminded stakeholders of the 2025 experience, where many intending pilgrims assumed that Saudi authorities would grant extensions but missed deadlines and consequently lost participation slots.
Elegushi also reflected on the unexpected challenges during Arafat 2025, calling the experience a valuable lesson 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 said.
NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq, briefed participants on refunds, pending complaints, and payment processes. He urged licensed tour operators to make timely payments for all Hajj-related obligations, noting that Saudi authorities will not grant extensions for contractual agreements or visa processing in 2026.
The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, expressed appreciation to the state pilgrims’ welfare boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their immense contributions to the success of the 2025 Hajj operations. He also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government, which enabled Nigerian pilgrims to perform Hajj with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.
“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,” Usman said.
Commissioner Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, commended tour operators on their successful outing and conduct during the 2025 Hajj. He called for continued cooperation with the commission by all stakeholders and urged intending pilgrims to ensure early payment and preparations for an improved 2026 Hajj experience.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2026 Hajj operations, NAHCON’s warning is a timely reminder of the importance of meeting the strict timelines set by Saudi Arabian authorities. Stakeholders must adapt quickly to the new system and make early preparations to avoid any last-minute challenges.
