NAHCON Releases Key Deadlines for 2026 Hajj Preparations

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has unveiled a comprehensive schedule of deadlines to ensure the seamless organization of the 2026 Hajj exercise. The agency has called on intending pilgrims, state boards, and licensed private tour operators to comply strictly with the outlined timetable.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Friday, NAHCON detailed the critical milestones. The process will formally begin in November 2025 with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and Saudi authorities.

By January 4, 2026, all camp booking payments and confirmation of service contract packages are expected to be completed. Following this, stakeholders must upload transport and accommodation contracts to the Nusuk Masar portal by February 1, 2026.

The commission also stressed that March 20, 2026 is the absolute deadline for visa issuance, warning that no extensions will be granted. Ahead of these dates, NAHCON has set October 8, 2025 as the remittance deadline for states and licensed operators to secure their pilgrimage slots.

Reiterating the need for compliance, NAHCON stated:“These timelines are non-negotiable. All stakeholders must ensure early compliance to guarantee a smooth and hitch-free Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims.”

Observers, commenting on the development, noted that with the rising global demand for Hajj slots and Saudi Arabia’s tighter digital and logistical requirements, strict adherence to NAHCON’s timetable is crucial for Nigeria’s full participation in the 2026 pilgrimage.