VP Shettima Hails NAHCON Over Successful 2026 Hajj Operations
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and other stakeholders for what he described as the successful and largely seamless conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Shettima gave the commendation on Wednesday while receiving the board and management of NAHCON alongside representatives of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the delegation briefed the Vice President on the outcome of the just-concluded pilgrimage and outlined plans for future Hajj operations.
Addressing the team, Shettima applauded their commitment and coordination, describing the 2026 pilgrimage as a significant achievement that should serve as a benchmark for subsequent exercises.
He urged the commission and all relevant stakeholders to sustain the momentum by working towards a more efficient and sustainable Hajj administration capable of delivering a completely hitch-free pilgrimage in the years ahead.
“The performance recorded during the 2026 Hajj exercise should be the minimum standard going forward as we strive to build a system that guarantees a seamless experience for Nigerian pilgrims,” the Vice President said.
Earlier, NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, presented a summary of the 2026 Hajj operations and informed the Vice President of recent reforms introduced by the Saudi authorities.
He explained that Saudi Arabia’s transition to a business-to-business model forms part of its Vision 2030 agenda, under which about 98 per cent of pilgrims will be served through private tour operators, while national Hajj commissions will focus primarily on regulatory responsibilities.
According to Yusuf, NAHCON has embraced the new framework and is already putting measures in place to ensure a smooth transition to the revised operational model.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to effectively carrying out its regulatory mandate while working closely with stakeholders to improve service delivery and enhance the overall Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
