2026 Hajj: Over 10,500 Nigerian Visas Applied, 1,734 Fully Processed – NAHCON
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba, has disclosed that a total of 10,554 visa applications for the 2026 Hajj have so far been uploaded, with 1,734 visas fully issued.
The update emerged during a virtual coordination meeting between NAHCON and the Saudi authorities as preparations intensify ahead of the visa deadline.
According to the Commission, the uploaded applications were processed through the Nusuk Masar platform, the official Saudi portal for Hajj arrangements.
However, with visa processing scheduled to close in 16 days, by 20 March, NAHCON acknowledged the urgency of accelerating approvals to avoid last-minute bottlenecks.
The Chairman assured the Saudi Ministry that Nigeria would meet all timelines without requesting any extension, emphasizing that the Commission is working within a strict compliance framework to ensure all eligible pilgrims secure their travel clearance before the portal shuts down.
Beyond visa uploads, NAHCON reported that over 70 per cent of pilgrim grouping has been completed, a critical operational requirement for accommodation and transportation planning in the Kingdom.
In addition, medical approvals for more than 10,000 intending pilgrims have already been uploaded, reinforcing the Commission’s push to align documentation with Saudi health regulations.
Saudi authorities reiterated that strict adherence to health certification standards remains non-negotiable, warning that random checks would be conducted at entry points. Any pilgrim found with falsified medical documentation would face immediate repatriation, while responsible signatories would be sanctioned.
NAHCON maintained that multiple verification layers are in place, including the use of accredited hospitals and authentication of doctors’ registration numbers, to eliminate irregularities.
With over ten thousand applications already submitted but fewer than two thousand visas issued, the coming days are expected to be decisive in determining Nigeria’s final processing performance ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
