By Shafii Sani Mohammed & Abdul Abba
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has hosted a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, led by Professor Dr. Ghassan Al-Nuaimi, at the Hajj House in Abuja, as part of early preparations for the 2026 Hajj and Umrah operations and ahead of the first official visit of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, the NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, welcomed the Saudi delegation to the Hajj House and expressed delight at hosting them. He called for enhanced collaboration and cooperation between NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, while formally requesting additional Hajj slots, noting that Nigeria has already exhausted its allocated quota.
During the meeting, the NAHCON Commissioner for Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, briefed the delegation on Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the 2026 Hajj, covering early planning initiatives, airline engagements, accommodation arrangements in Makkah and Madinah, and pre-arrival data submission processes.
He emphasized that no pilgrim will be allowed to depart Nigeria without complete documentation submitted at least 72 hours before departure, in strict compliance with Saudi regulations.
Key operational challenges discussed included reduced Hajj slots, accommodation constraints, airlift limitations, and Umrah visa delays affecting tour operators. NAHCON requested additional Hajj slots and Saudi intervention on accommodation allocation and airline approvals, while also raising concerns over recurring visa-related challenges, which the Saudi delegation agreed to review through appropriate technical channels.
The Saudi delegation stressed the importance of strict adherence to international Hajj timelines, noting that early preparation is mandatory and that extensions may not be granted. New health and safety requirements, including compliance with updated medical standards for pilgrims, were also highlighted.
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NAHCON further outlined measures aimed at addressing overstay concerns, including plans for biometric data capture and the deployment of a centralized pilgrim tracking system.
In his intervention, the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Professor Maitulare, called for the formal recognition of the Institute by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, proposing its utilization for training Hajj managers and disseminating new Hajj and Umrah policies. NAHCON also proposed structured training of its staff by the Saudi Hajj and Umrah industry to further strengthen capacity in the management of Hujjaj during Hajj.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation, with the Saudi delegation pledging continued technical support and engagement through diplomatic channels to address operational challenges and ensure a safe, efficient, and successful 2026 Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims, in line with the vision of the NAHCON leadership under Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
