Hajj 2026: NAHCON chair departs for Saudi to finalise plans

By Omodele Adigun

The chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has led a delegation to conclude service agreements with the Saudi authorities ahead of the 2026 Hajj operation.

In a statement signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, on Monday, Usman was accompanied by Commissioners and the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Mustapha M. Ali.

Usara added that the trip is part of preparations in line with the operational calendar released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).

The Saudi authorities had earmarked September 6–23, 2025 (15–29 Safar 1447H) for early contracting and payment for Mashair (camps), while September 23–24, 2025 (1–2 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1447H) has been fixed as the deadline for contracting essential services such as transportation and accommodation.

The Ministry also announced October 12, 2025 (20 Rabi’ al-Thani 1447H) as the final date for the announcement of pilgrims’ registration and submission of data for grouping via the Nusuk platform.

Usara said that the commission set October 8 as the cut-off date for State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare boards, agencies, commissions and licensed Hajj tour operators to remit Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage.

She said that the idea was to align with the deadlines set by the Saudi authorities.

Usara stated, “The commission assures all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the deadlines in order to ensure smooth operations and guarantee a successful Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.’’