By Soliu Oyesiji
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed all State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, agencies, commissions and licensed tour operators to urgently submit duly processed Medical Fitness Certificates for pilgrims participating in the 2026 #Hajj.
In a public announcement by NAHCON, the commission said the measure follows a directive by authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making medical fitness certification a mandatory requirement for visa issuance for all pilgrims.
NAHCON fixed Monday, March 2, 2026, as the deadline for submission of the certificates, warning that failure to comply would result in the forfeiture of visa opportunities for affected pilgrims.
The commission clarified that the directive is not peculiar to Nigeria but part of a broader regulatory framework introduced by Saudi authorities to better manage pilgrim affairs and mitigate health risks.
It also informed the general public that the reduction of Nigeria’s #Hajj quota from 95,000 to 50,000 is a strategy adopted by Saudi Arabia to strengthen health protocols and logistics, noting that the measure affects all participating countries.
