NAHCON Explains Discrepancy in Number of Outbound, Return Hajj Pilgrims
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has explained the discrepancy between the number of Nigerian pilgrims airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj and those returned through its official inbound operation.
The Hajj Gazette 2026 Hajj Tracker recorded 38,888 Nigerian pilgrims departing for Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj, while NAHCON officially airlifted 38,052 pilgrims back home.
NAHCON explained the discrepancy by pointing to pilgrims who independently arranged their return travel after completing Hajj, and reaffirmed that all Nigerian pilgrims remain fully accounted for.
NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Hajiya Fatima Usara Sanda, said such situations occur every year as some pilgrims leave Saudi Arabia on scheduled commercial flights to attend to pressing personal and professional commitments.
NAHCON Explains Discrepancy in Number of Outbound, Return Hajj Pilgrims
“Normally some pilgrims depart Saudi Arabia on scheduled flights immediately after Hajj due to exigencies of their jobs and others for so many other reasons,” she said in a WhatsApp message.
Usara explained that NAHCON implements a first-come-first-out return policy, requiring pilgrims to return to Nigeria according to the Commission’s approved schedule.
She noted that pilgrims who are unable to wait for their designated departure dates often make alternative travel arrangements rather than displace others already scheduled for return flights.
“Since the Commission has laid out the first-come-first-out policy, they either wait for their turn or use other means so as not to displace any pilgrim from his turn,” she stated.
The NAHCON spokesperson further clarified that the return figures do not include staff involved in post-Hajj operations.
She added that some officials remain in Saudi Arabia after pilgrims’ departure to conduct mop-up and reconciliation exercises, which only take place once all pilgrims have left the Kingdom.
The commission had earlier stated that 12 Nigerian pilgrims are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals in Saudi Arabia, adding that the Commission is monitoring their condition and has made arrangements for their safe return once discharged.
