Soliu Oyesiji.
As exclusively reported by Hajj Reporters, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah is set to arrive in Nigeria on February 3, 2026, as part of ongoing engagements ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
In preparation for the visit, a Saudi Arabian advance team led by Prof. Dr. Ghassan Al-Nuaimi has arrived in the country to lay the groundwork for the minister’s engagements. The team arrived in Abuja on January 20, 2026, and was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), led by the commissioner for operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, alongside officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, including Mohammed Bakar of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The advance team is expected to coordinate a series of diplomatic and technical meetings to be attended by the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabbiah, during his visit. These engagements are expected to include a courtesy meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima and interactions with key Hajj stakeholders in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, NAHCON chairman Abdullahi Saleh Usman, alongside some commissioners and management staff of the commission, is returning to Nigeria following the successful completion of a pre-Hajj preparatory visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening arrangements for the 2026 Hajj.
Members of the Saudi advance delegation include Azzam Harakati (international relations), Bandar Al-Sheikhi (Hajj operations), Khaled Al-Furaidi (protocol and ceremonies), Abdullah Zarei (Umrah markets), Mohammed Al-Nouri (G2G–G2B), Ali Al-Manbahi (guest experience and strategic development), and Abdulwahab Al-Qarni (awareness and media).
The visit further highlights the strong cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in ensuring a smooth, efficient and successful 2026 Hajj exercise.
