By Soliu Oyesiji.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has clarified circumstances surrounding hundreds of state-registered pilgrims affected by the closure of the Saudi Hajj portal for the 2026 pilgrimage.
In a statement by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, the commission recalled that following the reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota to 50,000 pilgrims, it convened a meeting with state officials and formally cancelled earlier allocations, adopting a first-come, first-served policy based on confirmed remittances.
It stated that camp bookings were subsequently allocated based on remittances completed on or before January 2, the stipulated deadline. According to the commission, a few states, including Kaduna and Niger, later received limited additional allocations through internal adjustments from states that had paid in excess.
NAHCON said it had repeatedly cautioned against late registration, stressing that Saudi authorities would strictly enforce deadlines. Although the commission later sought additional slots, approval was granted after key Saudi operational portals had closed, making implementation difficult.
The commission appealed to pilgrims who made late payments to remain calm, assuring them that updates on any further decisions would be communicated as necessary.
[9:37 PM, 2/20/2026] IBRAHIM MUHAMMED: Great
