Chairman and CEO of NAHCON, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman
By HARUNA AHMED, Kano –
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Saudi authorities have established strict deadlines for the 2026 Hajj to ensure a seamless and well-organized pilgrimage.
According to a statement released by NAHCON’s Information Officer, Malam Abdulbasit Abba, in Abuja on Tuesday, these deadlines are non-negotiable and critical for a successful Hajj operation.
During a virtual meeting with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, led by Ustaz Abdallah Ash Shihry, Acting Director-General and Special Assistant to the Deputy Minister, key deadlines were outlined.
“The Saudi authorities emphasized that the deadlines, including the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November, are sacrosanct,” Abba stated.
He further noted that January 4, 2026, is the final date for confirming camp booking payments and service contracts, while February 1, 2026, marks the deadline for uploading transport and accommodation contracts to the Nusuk Masar Portal.
The first of Shawwal remains the strict cutoff for visa issuance.
The Saudi Ministry also expressed concerns about previous delays in preparations from Nigeria, warning that such lapses could impact pilgrims’ welfare. “Late preparations have negative consequences on the overall experience of pilgrims,” Abba quoted the Ministry representatives as saying.
Additionally, the Ministry reiterated penalties for visa violations, stating, “Anyone caught performing Hajj without a valid Hajj visa will face a fine of 20,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately N8.158 million) and imprisonment.”
The Saudi authorities also mandated that all payments for Hadaya (sacrificial rites) and accommodation bookings must be processed exclusively through the Nusuk Masar platform.
In response, NAHCON’s Chairman/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, affirmed the commission’s commitment to meeting these requirements.
“We will collaborate closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure full compliance with all deadlines, guaranteeing a smooth and successful 2026 Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims,” Usman assured.
