2026 Hajj: NAHCON directs states to refund unregistered Pilgrims

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed all State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately refund intending pilgrims who could not be registered for the 2026 Hajj as the visa deadline set by Saudi authorities draws near.

The directive was announced during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters, Hajj House, Abuja.

At the meeting, NAHCON restated its commitment to transparency, professionalism and strict regulatory oversight in the organisation of the 2026 pilgrimage.

The Commission stressed that no intending pilgrim should lose their money due to registration challenges or missed deadlines. It therefore asked state boards to ensure prompt refunds to affected applicants.

The meeting brought together commissioners, board members, executive secretaries and chairmen of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards from across the country.

Also in attendance were members of the Forum of State Executive Secretaries, representatives of the Medical Mission team and other management staff.

NAHCON said the gathering was part of efforts to strengthen coordination and ensure a smooth and credible Hajj exercise in 2026.

In a statement issued on Monday, NAHCON said the newly appointed Chairman, Ismail Yusuf, clarified that the reduction in Nigeria’s Hajj quota for 2026 was part of a global adjustment affecting several participating countries and not a decision targeted at Nigeria.

He explained that the cut was due to logistical capacity considerations and evolving regulatory measures introduced by Saudi authorities.

“Nigeria was not singled out. Nigeria’s allocation for the 2026 Hajj stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators. However, uploaded data from states reportedly exceeded the approved figure,” he said, urging state officials to correct public misconceptions surrounding the quota reduction.

Yusuf directed states to urgently reconcile their data and withdraw excess entries to prevent operational bottlenecks.

He further disclosed that Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of an extension, warning that failure to meet the deadline could result in qualified pilgrims missing the pilgrimage.

“To beat the timeline, state boards must conclude medical screenings, documentation and data uploads within the prescribed operational window to facilitate timely visa issuance,” he said.

NAHCON also cautioned against the substitution of names on flight manifests, noting that airline bookings are now digitally integrated with accommodation systems, making last-minute changes problematic.

On health requirements, Board Member representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Said Dumbulwa, briefed stakeholders on strengthened certification measures.

He stated that medical screenings must be conducted only at government-recognised hospitals, with mandatory inclusion of Medical and Dental Council registration numbers. Certificates must also be digitally uploaded for verification, while identified disqualifying medical conditions must be strictly observed. He reiterated that private hospitals are not permitted to conduct Hajj certification.

In a relief to intending pilgrims, NAHCON announced a reduction in the Yellow Card fee from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000 for the 2026 exercise, following engagements with relevant health authorities.

The Commission added that Port Health Services would directly supervise the issuance and authentication of vaccination certificates, as Saudi Arabia introduces stricter verification protocols, including biometric checks.

NAHCON also disclosed that it would strictly monitor airline performance during the Hajj operations, warning that underperforming carriers could have pilgrims reassigned to better-performing airlines.

Importantly, Yusuf “directed states to promptly refund pilgrims who would not be travelling in order to prevent financial disputes and sustain public confidence in the process.”

The Commission further announced plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to assess feeding, accommodation, sanitation and overall service delivery. It noted that best-performing states may receive national recognition, while non-compliance could attract sanctions.

Yusuf reaffirmed that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain the primary custodians of intending pilgrims, while NAHCON’s role is regulatory, emphasising unity, professionalism and collective responsibility in ensuring a smooth and successful 2026 Hajj operation.

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