NAHCON Warns Stakeholders Against Missing 2026 Hajj Deadlines
As the 2026 Hajj exercise approaches, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has warned stakeholders in the Hajj industry to strictly comply with deadlines set by Saudi Arabian authorities for stressing that there will be no room for extensions on visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements.
The caution was issued during a post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with licensed tour operator companies, held Thursday at the Hajj House, Abuja.
The meeting was chaired by NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, alongside the Commissioner of Operations, Anofiu Elegushi; Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Aliu AbdulRazaq; and the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof. Abubakar Yagawal.
Prof. Usman commended State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their role during the 2025 Hajj operations.
He also lauded the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he said enabled pilgrims to perform the exercise “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 stated.
Speaking on operational frameworks for 2026, Elegushi stressed the need for early preparations.
“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 warned.
He recalled that complacency during the 2025 Hajj had led to missed slots for many operators who assumed Saudi authorities would grant concessions.
“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.
Commissioner AbdulRazaq emphasized early payments, warning that financial deadlines will be strictly enforced. He also updated participants on refunds and pending complaints from the 2025 exercise.
Prof. Yagawal urged stakeholders to remit funds early to ensure a smoother experience in 2026, while NAHCON’s Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, closed the session with a vote of thanks, describing the meeting as “one of the most productive engagements between NAHCON management and licensed tour operators in recent times.”
Punch
