The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has instructed State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to refund intending pilgrims who were unable to complete registration for the 2026 Hajj as the Saudi visa deadline draws near.
The directive was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where officials reviewed preparations for the pilgrimage and emphasised compliance with new operational timelines.
NAHCON Chairman, Ismail Yusuf, clarified that Nigeria’s Hajj quota reduction for 2026 is part of a broader global adjustment and not a decision specifically targeted at the country.
“Nigeria was not singled out. The allocation for the 2026 Hajj is 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators, but the data submitted by some states exceeded this number,” Yusuf said.
He urged state officials to immediately reconcile their records and remove excess entries to avoid logistical challenges that could disrupt travel arrangements.
Yusuf also warned that Saudi authorities have fixed a strict visa deadline of 1st Shawwal and are not expected to grant extensions.
“State boards must complete medical screening, documentation, and data uploads within the approved timeframe so that visas can be issued promptly,” he added.
The NAHCON chairman cautioned against substituting names on flight manifests, explaining that airline bookings are now digitally linked with accommodation systems, making last-minute changes difficult.
On health procedures, NAHCON board member representing the Federal Ministry of Health, Said Dumbulwa, said medical screenings must only be conducted at recognised government hospitals.
“Medical certificates must include the registration numbers of authorised practitioners and be uploaded for verification. Private hospitals are not permitted to carry out Hajj certification,” Dumbulwa explained.
He noted that stricter verification measures have been introduced, including biometric checks, while Port Health Services will supervise vaccination certification.
In a move expected to reduce costs for pilgrims, NAHCON announced that the Yellow Card vaccination fee has been reduced from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000.
The commission also said airline performance would be closely monitored during the operation, warning that underperforming carriers could lose pilgrim allocations to more efficient operators.
Yusuf stressed that states must refund affected pilgrims quickly to avoid disputes and maintain public trust in the process.
“Those who will not travel should be refunded without delay to prevent financial disagreements and sustain confidence in the Hajj system,” he said.
NAHCON further revealed plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to evaluate accommodation, feeding, sanitation, and other services, noting that compliant states could receive national recognition while erring ones may face sanctions.
The chairman reaffirmed that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain responsible for managing intending pilgrims, while NAHCON will continue to provide regulatory oversight to ensure a smooth and successful 2026 Hajj exercise.
