2026 Hajj: Saudi Arabia won’t grant deadline extensions — NAHCON
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged all stakeholders to strictly comply with the timelines set by Saudi authorities for the 2026 Hajj, warning that there will be no extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements. In a statement, the commission emphasized this during a post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with licensed tour operator […]
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged all stakeholders to strictly comply with the timelines set by Saudi authorities for the 2026 Hajj, warning that there will be no extensions for visa processing, payments, or contractual agreements.
In a statement, the commission emphasized this during a post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with licensed tour operator companies, chaired by the NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, cautioned stakeholders to strictly follow Saudi Arabia’s official Hajj calendar.
“The Saudis have made it clear: deadlines will not be extended by even a minute. Gone are the days of lobbying for extra weeks to process visas. If the portal closes today, it closes today,” he warned.
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He recalled how some operators in 2025 assumed there would be extensions, only to miss deadlines and lose participation slots. He also pointed to challenges during Arafat 2025 as lessons for better planning in 2026.
NAHCON’s Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management, and Finance, Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq, urged operators to make timely payments for all obligations, stressing that Saudi authorities will not tolerate delays.
Jigawa returns N31m to pilgrims
Meanwhile, the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has refunded over N31 million to 930 pilgrims who performed the 2025 Hajj following a discount approved by Saudi authorities on the cost of animal sacrifice.
Director General of the Board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, stated that the refund was made possible through direct negotiations with the Hadaya Company, which resulted in a reduction in the price of each animal slaughtered. Each pilgrim who paid for the sacrifice through the Board will receive N42,996.
Presenting the 2025 Hajj report to Governor Umar Namadi in Dutse, the Amirul Hajj and Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu, further announced the return of more than N24 million to the state treasury, representing unutilised operational funds.