The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially commenced preparations for the 2026 Hajj exercise, shortly after concluding the 2025 pilgrimage operations.
This announcement was made by NAHCON's Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, during a press briefing in Kano on Thursday following his return from Saudi Arabia.
Prof. Usman highlighted the success of the recently concluded 2025 Hajj, noting the positive feedback received from pilgrims and key stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly Committees on Foreign Affairs and Hajj Affairs.
"We have learned a lot from this year's Hajj, we intend to deliver a better and more efficient operation in 2026," the NAHCON boss assured.
The early preparation comes in response to strict timelines set by Saudi Arabian authorities, who have emphasized the need for all countries to finalize their logistical arrangements well in advance of the pilgrimage.
"We have received clear instructions from the Saudi authorities that they will not wait for any country to finalise their arrangements late. They want all logistics concluded early," Prof. Usman explained.
The Commission is currently seeking approval to announce the 2026 Hajj fare, with Prof. Usman urging all intending pilgrims to register as early as possible to secure their participation.
This early preparation strategy aims to ensure a smoother experience for Nigerian pilgrims and better compliance with Saudi Arabia's increasingly stringent organizational requirements for the annual pilgrimage.
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