The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has warned stakeholders in the Hajj industry to strictly adhere to deadlines set by Saudi Arabian authorities for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The agency stressed that there will be no room for extensions on visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements.
This caution came during a post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with Licensed Tour Operator Companies, held Thursday at the Hajj House in Abuja.
The meeting was chaired by NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, alongside the Commissioner of Operations, Anofiu Elegushi, and the Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Aliu AbdulRazaq.
All these were detailed in a press statement on the agency’s social media and website.
Usman opened the session by commending the efforts of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, private tour operators, and service providers during the 2025 Hajj operations.
He further lauded the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which, according to him, “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.
On the operational framework for 2026, Elegushi stressed the need for early preparations.
He warned, “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.”
Reflecting on the challenges of 2025, Elegushi reminded stakeholders that complacency had led to missed slots for many operators who assumed Saudi authorities would bend deadlines.
“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.
On financial obligations, Commissioner PPMF emphasized the importance of early payments, cautioning that Saudi authorities will not grant concessions.
AbdulRazaq also “updated participants on refunds and pending complaints from 2025.”
Similarly, the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, applauded operators for their conduct in 2025 and urged them to ensure early remittances for a smoother 2026 Hajj experience.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from NAHCON’s Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who described it as “one of the most productive engagements between NAHCON management and licensed tour operators in recent times.”
