Cynthia Ezegwu
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced early preparations for the 2026 Hajj with a high-level delegation currently in Saudi Arabia to finalise service agreements.
The delegation, led by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, includes Commissioners and the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Mustapha M. Ali.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara, the visit aligns with the operational calendar released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The Saudi authorities have fixed September 6–23, 2025, for early contracting and payment for Mashair (camps), while transportation and accommodation arrangements must be secured between September 23–24, 2025. The final date for the announcement of pilgrims’ registration and submission of data for grouping via the Nusuk platform is set for October 12, 2025.
To meet these deadlines, NAHCON has directed State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and licensed Hajj tour operators to remit Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage no later than October 8, 2025.
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“The Commission urged all stakeholders to comply strictly with the timeline to ensure smooth operations and a successful pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims,” the statement added.
Earlier in August, NAHCON announced a provisional fare of N8.5 million for the 2026 Hajj, pending final negotiations on all service contracts. The figure was disclosed at a strategic post-Hajj meeting on August 7, 2025, at the Hajj House headquarters in Abuja.
Professor Usman also confirmed that Nigeria had retained its 95,000-slot allocation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj, with state allocations remaining the same as in 2025.