The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has ruled out any deadline extensions for the 2026 Hajj, urging stakeholders to comply fully with the timelines set by Saudi Arabian authorities for visa processing, payments, and contractual agreements.
The warning was issued by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, during a Post-Hajj Stakeholders’ Meeting with licensed tour operators in Abuja.
According to a statement by the commission’s Principal Information Officer, Malam Shafii Mohammed, Elegushi emphasized that Saudi authorities had made it clear that all deadlines would be strictly enforced.
“Gone are the days when you could plead for extra weeks to process visas. For 2026, once the portal closes, it closes,” Elegushi said.
He recalled that during the 2025 Hajj, many intending pilgrims missed their slots because they assumed extensions would be granted.
Reflecting on the challenges encountered at Arafat in 2025, he noted that they provided valuable lessons for better planning ahead of the next exercise.
“The Saudi system has changed, and we must adapt quickly. What happened in 2025 has given us direction to plan better and work faster,” he added.
Also speaking, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq, cautioned licensed tour operators to make timely payments, stressing that late contractual obligations would not be tolerated by Saudi authorities.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, commended state pilgrims’ welfare boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their contributions to the success of the 2025 Hajj.
He also thanked the Federal Government for its support, which he said enabled pilgrims to perform the rites with dignity and comfort.
Usman reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to collaboration, fairness, and transparency but underscored the need for stakeholders to fully comply with regulations in line with global best practices.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services, Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, praised the performance of tour operators during the 2025 exercise and encouraged their continued cooperation.
He advised intending pilgrims to make early preparations and payments to ensure a smooth 2026 Hajj.
