The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has concluded his second pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia as part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj.
In a statement signed by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant (Media) to the NAHCON chairman, the commission said the visit, which took place from January 4 to 19, focused on strengthening coordination with Saudi authorities and aligning Nigerian service providers with operational timelines and standards for the 2026 pilgrimage.
According to the statement, the NAHCON delegation held meetings with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Ministry of Health, as well as airlines, Mashāʾir operators, and accommodation and feeding service providers.
The engagements resulted in progress across key operational areas, including airlift coordination, accommodation and feeding arrangements, Mashāʾir services, medical preparedness, and media coordination, the commission said.
NAHCON said service agreements were signed and uploaded on the Nusuk Masar platform, while clinics and medical facilities in Makkah and Madinah were inspected and unified medical screening requirements confirmed.
The statement added that the commission also met with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and licensed tour operators to reinforce compliance with agreed timelines, operational guidelines, and regulatory requirements ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
NAHCON said it would now proceed to the next phase of preparations, including the finalisation of contracts, pilgrims’ data uploads, and the commencement of medical screening.