Dare Babalola
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has issued a stern reminder to all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the timelines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The commission emphasised that there will be no deadline extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements.
NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Anofiu Elegushi, made this known in a statement issued by the commission’s Principal Information Officer, Shafii Mohammed, in Abuja.
Elegushi spoke at the post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with licensed tour operator companies in Abuja, cautioning stakeholders to follow the official Saudi Hajj calendar and make 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,” Mr. Elegushi said.
He recalled the 2025 experience, where many intending pilgrims missed deadlines and lost participation slots due to assumed extensions. Mr. Elegushi also reflected on the unexpected challenges during Arafat 2025, describing it as 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 (PPMF), Aliu AbdulRazaq, briefed participants on refunds, pending complaints, and payment processes, urging licensed tour operators to make timely payments for all Hajj-related obligations.
“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,” said NAHCON’s Chairman/CEO, Abdullahi Usman.
The Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS), Abubakar Yagawal, commended tour operators on their successful outing and conduct during the 2025 Hajj, calling for continued cooperation with the commission and early preparations for an improved 2026 Hajj experience.
