The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has met with officials of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to harmonize the exchange rate that will be used for all Hajj 2026 cost computations.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, called for unity in this assignment for Nigeria’s Hajj operations to succeed again in 2026. The Chairman reiterated and appealed to State Executive Secretaries to take the issue of medical screening seriously due to the seriousness that Saudi Arabia attaches to it.
During the meeting, NAHCON disclosed that efforts are ongoing to negotiate reductions in certain cost components such as cargo handling charges, in order to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims. The Commission, however, emphasized that service providers’ rates will not be arbitrarily reduced, since that may affect services that pilgrims are expected to receive. The providers may offer services commensurate with payments made.
A separate engagement was recommended for Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce its charges on pilgrims. The Board Member representing CBN in NAHCON Dr. Adetona Sikiru Adedeji, at the meeting pledged to convey NAHCON ‘s request to CBN on the possibility of reducing the 2% charge imposed on pilgrims’ transactions.
In a related development, Commissioner Aliu AbdulRazak in charge of Policy Personnel Management and Finance announced that the Chairman has approved the transfer of funds to CBN on regular basis, as they are being received from the states, so as to take advantage of the positive exchange rate.
Of serious concern was the disclosure at the meeting that the Mashair space reserved for Nigeria’s pilgrims on the NUSUK Masar portal is actually 66,910 slots for the 2026 Hajj. The implication of this is that while 95,000 slots were allocated to Nigeria, the actual number that can participate in the 2026 Hajj is 51,513 for States and all other officials, while 15,397 will go to licensed Tour Operators. It was revealed that Saudi Arabia reduced Nigeria’s camp slots to this figure of 66,910 on the portal due to underutilization of slots in the previous year. The Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi revealed that earlier allocations will be reversed based on each State’s utilization during the 2025 Hajj as well.
The Chairman Forum of States, Alhaji Idris Almakura drew attention of all participants to the seriousness of the slots limitation on the NUSUK Masar portal.
The Commission further requested States to submit the number of registered pilgrims to confirm if it is in line with NAHCON’s projections of pilgrims registration. This will facilitate commensurate planning.
States were reminded of the new deadline of December 21 for remittances, therefore, each State may set an internal deadline to ensure all funds are received and transferred to NAHCON before the cutoff date.
To ensure timely payments, NAHCON will embark on nationwide sensitization for States and pilgrims to highlight the urgency and importance of meeting the deadline
In a new development, NAHCON announced that this year’s Hajj will adopt the standard international luggage policy, allowing each pilgrim two 23kg checked-in bags and one backpack as hand luggage.
NAHCON also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s strict medical requirements for pilgrims. It was reemphasized that individuals with organ failure, neurological or psychiatric disorders, dementia, pregnancy, active cancer undergoing chemotherapy, tuberculosis, or other communicable diseases will not be allowed entry into the Kingdom. Board member representing Ministry of Health Dr Saidu Dumbulwa revealed that the new measures introduced by Saudi Arabia is aimed at reducing the risk of disease transmission, mortality, and the healthcare burden on Saudi authorities.
He recommended that medical screening should henceforth be conducted only by designated hospitals and specific persons of integrity will be authorized to sign off on medical certifications, which will then be countersigned by the State’s Chief Medical Director to curb forgery. The Commission emphasized that visa issuance will be linked to the medical certificates which will be verified at the point of entry. Hence all medical regulations must be strictly adhered to, as any violation will hold Nigeria collectively accountable.
At the end of the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Abubakar Salihu, expressed appreciation to NAHCON for carrying the States along in all aspects of Hajj preparations. He commended the staff of NAHCON for working diligently under pressure and reaffirmed the States’ commitment to cooperation.
Commissioner Planning Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services Professor Abubakar Yagawal returned similar appreciation to the State Forum while delivering his closing remarks.
In another development, NAHCON, Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah met virtually yesterday 15th August on new policies for Tour Operators.
The NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, led the Tuesday virtual meeting between NAHCON and officials of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to discuss key policy directives affecting Nigerian Licensed Tour Operators.
During the meeting, which was chaired by Abdullah Zarea, the General Director of International Partnerships in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, NAHCON was mandated to allocate a minimum of 2,000 Hajj slots to each group of Tour Operators.
The Commission is also to register all operators on the Nusuk Masar platform, create and activate their payment wallets, and ensure that the wallets are funded through NAHCON-approved IBAN accounts.
The Saudi officials also requested the list of the lead companies representing the Tour Operators to facilitate the implementation process.
NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Prince Elegushi raised concerns on Umrah related issues. Chairman of the meeting, Abdallah Zarea called for further discussions between NAHCON and the official directly in charge of Umrah in the Ministry.
As at the time of issuing this statement, meeting with Licensed Tour Operators was underway.
Fatima Sanda Usara,
Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations
For Chairman CEO/NAHCON