Tag: NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has concluded the inspection of accommodation and catering facilities in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, as part of its early preparations for next year’s Hajj operations.

The exercise, which took place between November 3 and 5, was led by NAHCON’s Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof. Abubakar Yagawal.

The delegation comprised representatives from the Office of the Vice President, NAHCON board members, the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards Forum, and senior management officials of the commission.

A statement by the commission said the inspection aimed to assess the readiness of service providers ahead of next year’s pilgrimage. The team carried out on-site evaluations of hotel accommodations and catering facilities, verified operational documents, and ensured compliance with Saudi Arabian regulations as well as NAHCON’s standards on accommodation and feeding.

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The NAHCON team inspected more than 20 hotels within the Markaziyya area of Madinah and seven catering facilities. The inspection, the Commission said, showed strong adherence to its guidelines, particularly in areas of safety, hygiene, and service quality.

Before the committee’s departure, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman, charged members to demonstrate integrity, transparency, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“Integrity, impartiality, and transparency must guide every aspect of this inspection. You are to discharge your responsibilities with diligence and professional discipline. The welfare, safety, and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims remain our foremost priority, and every inspection outcome must reflect that commitment,” he stated.

Prof. Usman reaffirmed the commission’s determination to strengthen its regulatory framework and enhance accountability among service providers to ensure that pilgrims get full value for the services they pay for.

The inspection team is expected to present its detailed report to NAHCON management for review and subsequent policy action.

The Chairman of the board, management, and staff of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for the directive to reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj. 

NAHCON described the development as a thoughtful and timely move that has brought relief to intending pilgrims nationwide.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, reads: “The President’s instruction to review Hajj fares downward shows a government that listens and responds to the people’s concerns. It also reflects genuine empathy for the financial strain faced by many Muslims who dream of performing the sacred pilgrimage.

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“NAHCON equally hails the government’s call on pilgrims and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to take advantage of the current appreciation of the Naira by making early remittances. Acting promptly, as mentioned by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ibrahim Hadeja, after the meeting at the Villa, would help Nigeria lock in the benefits of the stronger currency.

“The directive and recommendation for early remittances show a deep understanding of both NAHCON’s operational challenges and the economic realities of our pilgrims. It is another clear example of a responsive and people-focused administration that steps in with practical solutions, especially to the Commission.

“This directive reinforces President Tinubu’s steady support for improving Hajj management in Nigeria through interventions that make the exercise more affordable, transparent, and well-coordinated.

“NAHCON will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of the directive and to deliver a smooth and rewarding 2026 Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims.

“Hence, NAHCON calls upon intending pilgrims to hasten and make payment in sequence to the disclosure of the new fare, which will be announced soon. This will enable their boards to make early remittances that will enable the Central Bank of Nigeria to use the favorable exchange rate for the Hajj services.”

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his recent directive to reduce the cost of next year’s Hajj.

A statement by Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON’s Deputy Director, Information and Publication, said the Commission regards this as a thoughtful and timely move that brings great relief to intending pilgrims across the country.

“The President’s instruction to review Hajj fares downward shows a government that listens and responds to the people’s concerns.

“It also reflects genuine empathy for the financial strain faced by many Muslims who dream of performing the sacred pilgrimage,” the statement said.

The commission also hailed government’s call on pilgrims and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to take advantage of the current appreciation of the Naira by making early remittances.

“The directive and recommendation for early remittances show a deep understanding of both NAHCON’s operational challenges and the economic realities of our pilgrims.

“It is another clear example of a responsive and people-focused administration that steps in with practical solutions, especially to the Commission,” Usara said.

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The statement added that the directive reinforced President Tinubu’s steady support for improving Hajj management in Nigeria through interventions that make the exercise more affordable, transparent, and well-coordinated.

While promising to work closely with all stakeholders to deliver a rewarding 2026 Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims, the commission called on intending pilgrims to make payment sequel to disclosure of the new fare which will be announced soon.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, says the commission has secured a cost relief of over N19 billion for Nigerian pilgrims in preparation for the 2026 Hajj.

Usman disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on Friday upon his return from Saudi Arabia, where he embarked on an emergency visit on September 22 to negotiate improved service delivery and cost efficiency for Nigerian intending pilgrims.

According to him, the relief followed engagements with Saudi partners and executives of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, which resulted in a reduction of over N200,000 per pilgrim across the 66,910 slots allocated to Nigeria.

“This achievement is not just negotiation, but results. It aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at easing the burden on our people,” the NAHCON boss said.

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He noted that beyond the relief, the trip laid a stronger foundation for the 2026 exercise, with several contracts already signed. These include Masha’ir services with Mashariq Dhahabiyya Company, transport services with Daleel Al-Ma’aleem, and accommodation and feeding services in Madinah’s Markaziyya area at competitive rates.

The chairman added that NAHCON had held frank discussions with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, drawing from the lessons of the 2025 Hajj to make firm recommendations for better service delivery.

He also announced the inauguration of the 2026 Hajj Tour Operators Screening Committee, saying only qualified operators would be cleared to serve Nigerian pilgrims.

“The days of shortcuts and cutting corners are over,” Usman stressed.

In addition, NAHCON has commenced intensive staff training to sharpen its workforce ahead of the commencement of operations.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated the committee for the screening of 2026 Hajj Tour Operators at the Hajj House in Abuja.

The committee comprises management workers of the commission alongside other key members, including representatives from the secretariat.

The commission’s Director of Administration, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who represented the Chairman at the event, described the inauguration as an important milestone in preparations for the Hajj operation.

He expressed the commission’s confidence in the competence and capacity of the committee members to deliver on the crucial assignment.

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Shutti urged the committee to thoroughly scrutinise all documents submitted by intending Hajj Tour Operators seeking licences for the 2026 exercise, ensuring validity, accuracy, and compliance with international best practices.

He directed the committee to recommend slot allocations only to qualified and competent operators.

“You are expected to submit your recommendations to the leadership of the commission for approval or otherwise, and produce a comprehensive report of your findings at the end of the exercise,” Shutti said.

The director reminded the committee of the urgency of their task, stressing that the assignment must be completed within one week in line with the deadline set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the 2026 operations.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced N8.1m, N8.2m and N8.5m as hajj fees for next year.

Chairman of the commission, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman made this announcement after signing several agreements with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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A statement by the media department said: “After due consultations with all the relevant stakeholders, including the Forum of States leadership and obtaining the approval of the Federal Government, The Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Abdullahi Sale Usman hereby announces the 2026 Hajj Fare as follow: Maiduguri-Yola Zone (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba) will paynN8,118,333.67. Other Northern States will pay N8,244,813.67 while the Southern States will pay N8,561,013.67. Compared to what was charged last year, this year, each pilgrim is to pay an average of N200,000 less.”

Meanwhile, the NAHCON delegation who are currently in Saudi Arabia met and signed an agreement with the 2026 Hajj Service Provider Company (Mashareeq Al-Zahabiyya) and the Transportation Company (Daleel Al-Ma’aleem).

Prof Usman urged all intending pilgrims to complete their payment before December 31st, 2025.