The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately refund intending pilgrims who could not be registered for the 2026 Hajj, as Saudi Arabia’s visa deadline draws near.
The directive was issued during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting at the Commission’s headquarters, Hajj House, Abuja, where NAHCON reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, professionalism and strict regulatory oversight of the 2026 pilgrimage.
The meeting was attended by commissioners, board members, executive secretaries and chairmen of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, representatives of the Forum of State Executive Secretaries, members of the Medical Mission team and management staff.
In a statement released on Monday, NAHCON said its newly appointed Chairman, Ismail Yusuf, clarified that the reduction in Nigeria’s Hajj quota for 2026 was part of a broader global adjustment affecting several countries, not a decision specifically targeted at Nigeria.
He explained that the cut was driven by logistical capacity constraints and evolving regulatory measures introduced by Saudi authorities.
“Nigeria was not singled out. Nigeria’s allocation for the 2026 Hajj stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators. However, uploaded data from states reportedly exceeded the approved figure,” he said, urging state officials to correct public misconceptions surrounding the quota reduction.
Yusuf directed the states to urgently reconcile their data and withdraw excess entries to prevent operational bottlenecks.
He further disclosed that Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of an extension, warning that failure to meet the timeline could result in qualified pilgrims missing the pilgrimage.
“To beat the timeline, state boards must conclude medical screenings, documentation and data uploads within the prescribed operational window to facilitate timely visa issuance,” he said.
NAHCON also cautioned against the substitution of names on flight manifests, noting that airline bookings are now digitally integrated with accommodation systems, making last-minute changes difficult and potentially disruptive.
On health requirements, Board Member representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Said Dumbulwa, briefed stakeholders on strengthened certification measures. He said medical screenings must be conducted only at government-recognised hospitals, with mandatory inclusion of Medical and Dental Council registration numbers. Certificates must also be digitally uploaded for verification, while identified disqualifying medical conditions must be strictly observed. He reiterated that private hospitals are not authorised to conduct Hajj certification.
In a relief to intending pilgrims, NAHCON announced a reduction in the Yellow Card fee from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000 for the 2026 exercise, following consultations with relevant health authorities.
The Commission added that Port Health Services would directly supervise the issuance and authentication of vaccination certificates, as Saudi Arabia introduces stricter verification protocols, including biometric checks.
NAHCON also disclosed that it would closely monitor airline performance during Hajj operations, warning that underperforming carriers could have pilgrims reassigned to better-performing airlines.
Importantly, Yusuf directed states to promptly refund pilgrims who will not be travelling in order to prevent financial disputes and sustain public confidence in the process.
The Commission further announced plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to assess feeding, accommodation, sanitation and overall service delivery. It noted that best-performing states may receive national recognition, while non-compliance could attract sanctions.
Yusuf reaffirmed that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain the primary custodians of intending pilgrims, while NAHCON’s role is regulatory, emphasising unity, professionalism and collective responsibility in ensuring a smooth and successful 2026 Hajj operation.
