Soliu Oyesiji.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has concluded his second pre-Hajj visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, recording significant milestones ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The visit, which lasted from January 4 to January 19, 2026, was aimed at consolidating operational arrangements, strengthening coordination with Saudi authorities, and aligning Nigerian stakeholders with Saudi timelines and standards for the 2026 Hajj.
During the visit, the NAHCON delegation held high-level engagements with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Ministry of Health, as well as Mashāʾir, feeding and accommodation service providers, airlines and Nigerian stakeholders in the Kingdom. The meetings yielded progress in key areas, including airlift coordination, accommodation and feeding, Mashāʾir services, medical preparedness and media coordination.
Among the achievements recorded were the signing and initiation of service agreements, upload of contracts and flight schedules on the Nusuk Masar platform, inspection and identification of medical facilities in Makkah and Madinah, confirmation of unified medical screening requirements, and alignment on digital health and operational platforms.
The commission also held coordination meetings with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and licensed tour operators to reinforce compliance with agreed timelines, service standards and regulatory requirements. NAHCON said it will now move to the next phase of preparations, including finalisation of contracts, pilgrims’ data uploads, medical screening and continued engagement with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth 2026 Hajj.
