The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded its second pre-Hajj visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The visit, conducted from January 4 to 19, 2026, was led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. It forms part of the commission’s strategy of early engagement and proactive planning to ensure a seamless and well-coordinated pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims.
According to the commission, the visit focused on consolidating operational frameworks, strengthening collaboration with Saudi authorities, and aligning Nigerian stakeholders and service providers with Saudi Arabia’s evolving Hajj timelines, regulations, and service standards.
During the engagement, the NAHCON delegation held high-level meetings with key Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Ministry of Health, as well as Mashāʾir, accommodation and feeding service providers, airlines, and Nigerian stakeholders resident in the Kingdom.
These engagements yielded progress in critical areas such as airlift coordination, accommodation and feeding services, Mashāʾir operations, medical preparedness, and media coordination.
Key outcomes included the signing and initiation of service agreements, uploading of contracts and flight schedules on the Nusuk Masar platform, inspection and identification of clinics and medical facilities in Makkah and Madinah, confirmation of unified medical screening requirements, and alignment on digital health and operational platforms.
The commission also held coordination meetings with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and licensed tour operators to reinforce adherence to agreed timelines, service standards, guidelines, and regulatory requirements ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
With the conclusion of the visit, NAHCON is set to move into the next phase of preparations, which includes finalising contracts, uploading pilgrims’ data, conducting medical screenings, and sustaining engagement with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and successful 2026 Hajj operation.