By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has appealed to all critical stakeholders to comply with the timelines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities for the next year’s Hajj operations.
The commission warned that there will be no deadline extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements. 
This was the central message at the post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with Licensed Tour Operator Companies held today at the Hajj House, Abuja.
A statement by Shafii’i Sani Mohammed of the Information and Publications Division, NAHCON, said, the meeting was chaired by NAHCON Chairman NAHCON, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman, alongside several stakeholders from the commission.
Prof Usman thanked State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their immense contributions to the success of the 2025 Hajj operations.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which enabled Nigerian pilgrims to perform Hajj with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.
Speaking on the operational guidelines for the 2026 Hajj, Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, issued a strong caution to stakeholders to strictly follow the official Saudi Hajj calendar and make early preparations.
According to him, Saudis have made it very clear, that the dates on their calendar will not be extended by even a minute.
He reminded stakeholders of the 2025 experience, where many assumed that Saudi authorities would grant extensions but missed deadlines and consequently lost participation slots.
Similarly, Commissioner Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof Abubakar Yagawal, also called on all for continued cooperation with the commission and ensure early payment and preparations for an improved 2026 Hajj experience for the Nigerian Pilgrim.
