The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has completed a strategic inspection of accommodation and catering facilities in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, as part of its preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations. The inspection, which took place from November 3 to 5, was led by Professor Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services.
The delegation included representatives from the Office of the Vice President, board members, and the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards Forum, as well as senior management officials from NAHCON. The team’s primary objective was to assess the readiness of service providers, including hotel accommodations and catering facilities, to ensure compliance with Saudi regulations and NAHCON’s guidelines and standards.
During the three-day inspection, the team visited over 20 hotels in the Markaziyya area and seven catering facilities, verifying operational documents and evaluating the state of readiness of each service provider. The inspection revealed strong compliance with accommodation and feeding guidelines, with a focus on safety and hygiene protocols.
Prior to the inspection, NAHCON’s Chairman and CEO, Professor Abdullahi Usman, emphasized the importance of upholding the highest ethical and professional standards during the exercise. He stressed that integrity, impartiality, and transparency must guide every aspect of the inspection, with the welfare, safety, and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims being the top priority.
The inspection is part of NAHCON’s efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework, enhance accountability among service providers, and ensure that Nigerian pilgrims receive value for every service paid for. The commission’s resolve to prioritize the welfare and safety of pilgrims is in line with its mandate to regulate and supervise Hajj operations in Nigeria.
The inspection team is expected to submit a detailed report to NAHCON’s management for review and further policy action. The outcome of the inspection will inform the commission’s decisions on service providers for the 2026 Hajj operations, ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims have a safe and comfortable experience during their pilgrimage. With this inspection, NAHCON demonstrates its commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations, ultimately benefiting the thousands of Nigerian pilgrims who embark on the Hajj journey each year.
