2026 Hajj: NAHCON Seals Key Saudi Agreements as Preparations Advance
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has sealed critical service agreements with Saudi authorities and service providers as preparations for the 2026 Hajj enter an advanced stage.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, concluded his second pre-Hajj visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 4 to 19, 2026, as part of strategic efforts to consolidate operational arrangements and align Nigeria’s Hajj operations with Saudi regulatory timelines and standards.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant (Media) to the NAHCON Chairman.
He explained that during the visit, the NAHCON delegation held high-level engagements with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Ministry of Health, Mashāʾir service managers, accommodation and feeding providers, airlines, and Nigerian stakeholders resident in the Kingdom.
The engagements translated into tangible progress across key operational pillars, including airlift coordination, accommodation and feeding services, Mashāʾir operations, medical preparedness, and media coordination frameworks.
Major outcomes of the visit include the signing and activation of service agreements, upload of contracts and proposed flight schedules on the Nusuk-Masar platform, inspection and identification of medical clinics and facilities in Makkah and Madinah, confirmation of unified medical screening requirements, and alignment on digital health and operational platforms.
The commission also held coordination meetings with State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and licensed tour operators, reinforcing adherence to approved timelines, service standards, and regulatory requirements ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
Muazu further stated that with the conclusion of the Saudi visit, NAHCON is set to transition into the next phase of preparations, focusing on the finalization of contracts, pilgrims’ data uploads, medical screening processes, and sustained engagement with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth, compliant, and well-coordinated Hajj exercise in 2026.
