By Atoyebi Nike
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has briefed the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj.
The update was delivered during a virtual meeting held at NAHCON’s headquarters in Abuja, as part of ongoing consultations with Saudi authorities to ensure smooth coordination for the forthcoming pilgrimage.
Professor Usman highlighted major milestones, including the successful reservation of initial camp booking slots and related services in line with the Saudi Hajj calendar. He also presented the list of approved airlines that meet Saudi aviation protocols, paving the way for flight schedule harmonisation.
On tour operations, he noted that NAHCON is at an advanced stage of screening companies and will maintain the same ten-group structure used in 2025. Lead companies will soon be announced, and camp zone allocations will remain unchanged.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a well-organised and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims in line with Saudi expectations.
Responding, Youssef Jamal Altharthi of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah commended NAHCON’s proactive steps and stressed the need for early submission of pilgrims’ data to aid planning. He urged compliance with health guidelines and early visa processing to facilitate timely issuance of Nusuk cards.
He also announced a new policy requiring pilgrims to receive Nusuk cards at the airport upon arrival, instead of at hotels or before departing for Makkah, to improve operational efficiency.
