The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has introduced a fresh set of operational directives for the 2026 Hajj, marking significant adjustments in flight arrangements, group coordination, medical compliance and data processing.
The new guidelines, released on December 4 after a meeting with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and accredited Hajj carriers at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, signal a push for stricter organisation and improved service delivery.
In a statement titled “NAHCON Directs Airlines to Issue 2026 Hajj Tickets Ahead of Departure,” the Commission said the measures are designed to curb pre-arrival data errors, strengthen adherence to medical requirements and streamline the movement of pilgrims in designated groups.
The statement, issued on Thursday by the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara, on behalf of the Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, affirmed that the new directives will guide all stakeholders in the buildup to next year’s pilgrimage.
Here are 15 directives to note for Hajj 2026:
1. All Hajj carriers must issue 2026 Hajj flight tickets to pilgrims in collaboration with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
2. Pilgrims must be informed of exact departure date, time and location to reduce incorrect pre-arrival data sent to Saudi Arabia.
Read Also: NAHCON directs airlines to issue hajj tickets ahead of pilgrims’ departure
3. Missing a flight will carry serious consequences beginning from the 2026 Hajj exercise.
4. Each pilgrim’s ticket will be digitally linked to their Nusuk Card, which will be placed in assigned buses in Saudi Arabia.
5. Pilgrims cannot change groups after visa issuance and must remain with the group under which their visa was processed.
6. Pilgrims will travel in groups of 45, remain together throughout Makkah, Madinah and Masha’ir, and return together.
7. NAHCON must upload pilgrims’ pre-arrival data 72 hours before departure on the Nusuk Masar platform, including group lists, building and bed-space details.
8. Any pilgrim absent at departure time will be treated as a no-show and may bear the cost of the unused seat.
9. Saudi Arabia’s new boarding card must be issued to each pilgrim before departure, containing comprehensive travel and flight details.
10. State boards must remit Hajj fares promptly to avoid forfeited slots, as Saudi Arabia will return excess camp booking funds.
11. Saudi Arabia’s medical fitness requirements must be strictly enforced, with penalties for violations.
12. Pilgrims with any of the nine disqualifying medical conditions must not travel and will bear deportation costs if they do.
13. State Boards must use only credible, certified hospitals for issuing medical fitness certificates.
14. Airline allocations for 2026 have been communicated but may change following technical and infrastructural reviews.
15. The approved Hajj carriers for 2026 are Air Peace, FlyNas, Max Air and Umza Air.