Abuja: The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Saudi authorities have approved 66,910 slots for Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this decision was made following the underutilization of the 95,000 slots that were allocated in the previous year. The information was disclosed by NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Hajiya Fatima Usara, in a statement from Abuja.
Usara conveyed that Prince Anofiu Elegushi, NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, shared this development during a meeting with officials of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards in Abuja. Elegushi clarified that the Mashair space reserved for Nigeria on the NUSUK Masar portal determined the number of slots. The breakdown shows that 51,513 slots will be allocated for states and other officials, while 15,397 will be assigned to licensed tour operators.
The reduction in slots stems from unused allocations in the previous year. Furthermore, Elegushi mentioned that allocations would be adjusted based on each state’s utilization during the 2025 Hajj.
Dr. Saidu Dumbulwa, a board member representing the Ministry of Health in NAHCON, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strict medical requirements for pilgrims. He emphasized that individuals with certain medical conditions like organ failure, neurological disorders, or communicable diseases would not be permitted entry into Saudi Arabia. The measures aim to reduce disease transmission and healthcare burdens.
Dumbulwa advised that medical screenings should only occur in designated hospitals, with specific authorized persons signing off on medical certifications to prevent forgery. The commission also linked visa issuance to verified medical certificates to ensure compliance with health regulations.
Aliu AbdulRazak, NAHCON Commissioner in charge of Policy Personnel Management and Finance, announced approval for transferring states’ funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regularly. This strategy seeks to leverage favorable exchange rates. Dr. Adetona Adedeji, a CBN representative, promised to discuss reducing transaction charges for pilgrims with the bank.
NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, stated that negotiations are in progress to reduce certain cost components, maintaining service quality for pilgrims. The commission urged states to submit their number of registered pilgrims to align with NAHCON’s projections, setting a deadline of December 21 for remittances to ensure timely payments.
The Chairman also revealed that the upcoming Hajj would adopt the standard international luggage policy, allowing two 23kg checked-in bags and one backpack as hand luggage per pilgrim. Alhaji Idris Almakura, the Chairman of the Forum of States, highlighted the importance of the slot limitations on the NUSUK Masar portal.
Dr. Abubakar Salihu, Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, thanked NAHCON for their inclusive approach to Hajj preparations and reaffirmed the states’ commitment to cooperation.