NAHCON Clarifies 2026 Hajj Guidelines for Nigerian Pilgrims

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has issued clarifications regarding the guidelines for the 2026 Hajj, addressing concerns from Nigerian intending pilgrims. Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, a spokesperson for NAHCON, explained that there have been no changes to the earlier guidelines issued by the Saudi Arabian government.

However, a significant deadline imposed by Saudi Arabia will affect late remittances from states that fail to comply by December 2025. Consequently, Nigeria's Hajj quota has been reduced to 50,000 pilgrims.

NAHCON convened a meeting with state Muslim pilgrim welfare boards to formally withdraw earlier allocations and implement a first-come, first-served policy based on confirmed payments. The commission emphasized that the December 2025 deadline is not arbitrary and aligns with Saudi Arabia's operational calendar.

NAHCON also cautioned stakeholders against late registration, as Saudi authorities strictly enforce timelines. Although NAHCON sought additional slots to accommodate pilgrims, the Saudi Hajj operational portal is already closed, making further processing impractical.