The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has directed State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately refund intending pilgrims who could not be registered for the 2026 Hajj, as Saudi Arabia’s visa deadline approaches.
The directive was issued during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where NAHCON reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and regulatory oversight for the 2026 pilgrimage.
In a statement issued on Monday, NAHCON Chairman Ismail Yusuf clarified that the reduction in Nigeria’s Hajj quota for 2026 was part of a global adjustment affecting several participating countries and not a decision targeted at Nigeria.
“Nigeria was not singled out. Nigeria’s allocation for the 2026 Hajj stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators. However, uploaded data from states reportedly exceeded the approved figure,” he said, urging state officials to correct public misconceptions surrounding the quota reduction.
Yusuf directed states to urgently reconcile their data and withdraw excess entries to prevent operational bottlenecks. He further disclosed that Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of an extension, warning that failure to meet the deadline could result in qualified pilgrims missing the pilgrimage.
NAHCON also cautioned against the substitution of names on flight manifests, noting that airline bookings are now digitally integrated with accommodation systems, making last-minute changes problematic.
On health requirements, the commission announced a reduction in the Yellow Card fee from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000 for the 2026 exercise, following engagements with relevant health authorities. Medical screenings must be conducted only at government-recognised hospitals, with mandatory inclusion of Medical and Dental Council registration numbers.
“Yusuf directed states to promptly refund pilgrims who would not be travelling in order to prevent financial disputes and sustain public confidence in the process,” the statement added.
The Commission further announced plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to assess feeding, accommodation, sanitation, and overall service delivery. It noted that best-performing states may receive national recognition, while non-compliance could attract sanctions.
