NAHCON BOSS CONCLUDES PRE-HAJJ VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA AHEAD OF 2026 HAJJ
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Chairman and CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has concluded his second pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia, marking a major boost to preparations for the 2026 Hajj.
The visit, held from January 4 to 19, 2026, focused on strengthening coordination with Saudi authorities and ensuring Nigerian stakeholders align with required timelines and standards. Engagements with key Saudi institutions and service providers helped advance plans for airlift, accommodation, feeding, healthcare, Mashāʾir services and media coordination for Nigerian pilgrims.
Significant progress was recorded with service agreements initiated, contracts and flight schedules uploaded on the Nusuk Masar platform, and medical facilities inspected in Makkah and Madinah. The visit also helped harmonise medical screening requirements and digital operational processes, while reinforcing cooperation with Nigerian tour operators and state pilgrims’ welfare boards in the Kingdom.
With the visit concluded, NAHCON is set to move into the next phase of preparations, including finalising contracts, uploading pilgrims’ data, conducting medical screenings and maintaining close engagement with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated 2026 Hajj.