By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to promptly refund intending pilgrims who will not travel for the 2026 Hajj. The announcement came during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting at Hajj House, Abuja, on Monday, aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency, and timely completion of Hajj preparations. The directive affects commissioners, board members, executive secretaries, and pilgrims across the country.
Monitoring Airlines and Pilgrim Services
NAHCON Chairman, Ismail Yusuf, emphasized strict monitoring of airline performance. Underperforming carriers risk having pilgrims reassigned to better-performing airlines. Monitoring teams will also deploy to Saudi Arabia to assess feeding, accommodation, sanitation, and service delivery. States that comply and perform well may receive national recognition, while violations could attract sanctions.
Data Reconciliation and Quota Adjustments
Yusuf clarified that Nigeria’s Hajj quota for 2026 stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators. Uploaded state data reportedly exceeded this allocation. He urged states to reconcile their records and withdraw excess entries to prevent operational bottlenecks. He explained that the quota reduction is part of a global adjustment affecting multiple countries, not a decision targeted at Nigeria.
Health Certification and Yellow Card Updates
Board Member representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Said Dumbulwa, outlined strengthened Hajj health certification procedures:
- Medical screenings must occur only at government-recognized hospitals.
- Certificates must include Medical and Dental Council registration numbers.
- Certificates must be digitally uploaded for verification.
- Disqualifying medical conditions will be strictly observed.
- Private hospitals cannot conduct Hajj certification.
NAHCON also announced a reduction in the Yellow Card fee from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000. Port Health Services will supervise issuance and authentication of vaccination certificates. Saudi Arabia now enforces stricter verification protocols, including biometric checks.
Urgent Visa Deadline
Saudi authorities set a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal. Yusuf warned that missing the deadline could prevent qualified pilgrims from traveling. He instructed state boards to complete medical screenings, document uploads, and data reconciliation within the prescribed operational window.
NAHCON’s Commitment
Yusuf reaffirmed that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain the primary custodians of intending pilgrims. NAHCON will maintain its regulatory role, emphasizing unity, professionalism, and collective responsibility. The Commission cautioned against last-minute substitution of names, noting that airline bookings are now integrated digitally with accommodation systems.
