The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced early preparations for the 2026 Hajj, following a strategic post-Hajj meeting held with Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
The meeting, which took place on July 8, 2025, at the Hajj House Headquarters in Abuja, was aimed at reviewing the operations of the 2025 Hajj and planning ahead for a more effective pilgrimage in 2026.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara.
In his opening remarks, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support for Nigerian pilgrims and the Commission.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s intervention that enabled Hajj carriers to accept payments in Naira, shielding pilgrims from foreign exchange shocks.
“This could have disadvantaged many of them due to limited awareness and sensitisation,” he said, while commending the Central Bank of Nigeria for suspending its earlier policy mandating credit card-only payments for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA).
Professor Usman encouraged participants to offer frank and constructive evaluations of the 2025 exercise, identifying successes, challenges, and areas requiring improvement.
The Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal, led discussions on the 2026 Hajj Calendar. Commissioner for Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, facilitated discussions on operational matters.
Prince Elegushi particularly opened the floor for deliberations on the possible rollover of contracts for the four airlines used during the 2025 Hajj.
He cited time constraints and bureaucratic hurdles as reasons for the proposal, given the Saudi calendar and expectations from Hajj-participating countries adding that this would help Nigeria secure early airlift slots.
Following deliberations, Professor Usman announced a tentative deposit of ₦8.5 million as the provisional fare for the 2026 Hajj, pending final negotiations on service contracts.
He also confirmed that Nigeria had retained its 95,000-slot allocation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with state allocations remaining unchanged from the previous year.
For his part, Chairman of the Forum of States Executive Secretaries, Idris Almakura, who is the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board, thanked NAHCON for convening the meeting.
He urged stronger collaboration with state boards through better communication and timely clarifications.
The Chairman also called for the expedited reconciliation of pending matters from the 2025 Hajj to ensure a smooth transition into the 2026 planning cycle.
All executive members of the Forum of States were present, including Deputy Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Yaro (Executive Secretary, Kebbi State), Malam Abubakar Salihu (Executive Secretary, Adamawa State), who also serves as the Secretary of the Forum.
The meeting concluded with a commitment by members to provide feedback on unresolved issues after consultations with their respective state representatives.
The Secretary to the Commission, Dr Mustapha Ali, thanked participants for their contributions and adjourned the meeting.
PIAK