The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the timelines set by Saudi Arabian authorities for the 2026 Hajj operations, stressing that there will be no deadline extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements.
This was the key message at the post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with Licensed Tour Operator Companies, which took place at the Hajj House, Abuja.
The meeting was chaired by the NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, along with the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, and the Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq.
In his remarks, Professor Usman expressed his gratitude to the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their roles in ensuring the success of the 2025 Hajj operations.
He further recognized the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which, according to him, enabled Nigerian pilgrims to perform the holy pilgrimage with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.
“The Commission is committed to collaboration, fairness, and transparency,” Professor Usman said. “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.”
Speaking on the operational guidelines for the 2026 Hajj, Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, cautioned stakeholders to strictly follow the official Saudi Hajj calendar and avoid last-minute delays. He made it clear that the Saudi authorities will not entertain deadline extensions under any circumstances.
“The Saudis have made it very clear — the dates on their calendar will not be extended by even a minute,” Prince Elegushi stated. “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 reminded stakeholders about the 2025 experience, where many participants believed that extensions would be granted, only to miss important deadlines and lose participation slots. He also pointed to the unexpected challenges faced during Arafat 2025, describing them as valuable lessons for the upcoming season.
“What happened in 2025 has given us insight and direction,” he explained. “We must learn from it, plan better, and work faster. The Saudi system has changed, and we must adapt quickly.”
On financial matters, Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance, Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq, briefed attendees on refunds, pending complaints, and payment processes.
He emphasized the importance of early and timely payments by licensed tour operators for all Hajj-related obligations, noting that the Saudi authorities will not grant extra time for contractual agreements or visa processing in 2026.
Similarly, the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Professor Abubakar Yagawal, praised tour operators for their contributions to the success of the 2025 pilgrimage. He called for continued cooperation with NAHCON and urged all stakeholders to ensure early payment and planning for a smoother 2026 Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who described the session as one of the most productive engagements between NAHCON management and licensed tour operators in recent times.
He commended the leadership of the Commission for approving and coordinating the meeting, which he said was key in preparing Nigeria for the 2026 Hajj operations.