NAHCON Orders Refunds for Unregistered 2026 Hajj Pilgrims

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has instructed state Muslim Pilgrim Welfare Boards to refund money to unregistered pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj, as the visa deadline approaches. This directive was issued during a stakeholders' meeting held at NAHCON's headquarters in Abuja on February 23.

NAHCON's newly appointed chairman, Ismail Yusuf, clarified that the reduction in Nigeria's Hajj quota for 2026 is part of a global adjustment and is not targeted at specific countries. He urged state officials to correct public misconceptions regarding the quota reduction and to ensure accurate communication with intending pilgrims.

Yusuf also highlighted the importance of reconciling data to avoid operational bottlenecks, as the Saudi authorities have set a firm visa deadline of the 1st of Shawwal. Additionally, NAHCON announced a reduction in the yellow card fee from 5,000 to 2,000 Naira and emphasized the need for strict health certifications and compliance with new verification protocols introduced by Saudi Arabia.