Reduced 2026 Hajj Quota Global Adjustment, Not Targeted at Nigeria — NAHCON
Amb. Ismail Yusuf, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), says the reduced 2026 Hajj quota is part of a global adjustment and not specifically targeted at Nigeria.
Yusuf stated this during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, attributing the development to logistical capacity and evolving regulatory measures introduced by Saudi authorities.
The meeting was attended by commissioners, board members, state pilgrims’ board chairmen and executive secretaries, medical mission officials and management staff.
In a statement issued by NAHCON’s Information Officer, Abdulbasit Abba, Yusuf urged states to dispel claims that Nigeria was singled out for the quota reduction.
He reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to transparency, professionalism and strict regulatory oversight as preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj.
According to him, Nigeria’s allocation stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators, but uploaded data reportedly exceeded the approved number.
He directed states to urgently reconcile their records and withdraw excess entries to prevent administrative bottlenecks.
Yusuf noted that Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of an extension.
“To beat the deadline, states must conclude medical screening, documentation and data uploads within the operational window to ensure timely visa issuance,” he said.
He also warned against substitutions on flight manifests, citing integration between airline bookings and accommodation systems.
Board member representing the Ministry of Health, Dr Said Dumbulwa, briefed stakeholders on strengthened health certification requirements.
Dumbulwa said screening must be conducted only at recognised hospitals, with mandatory inclusion of Medical and Dental Council registration numbers.
He added that medical certificates must be digitally uploaded for verification, with strict adherence to identified disqualifying conditions.
“Private hospitals are not permitted to conduct Hajj certification,” he said, announcing plans for a national coordination platform to streamline medical processes.
In a relief for pilgrims, Yusuf announced a reduction in the Yellow Card fee from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000 for the 2026 Hajj.
He disclosed that Port Health Services will directly supervise vaccination certification amid stricter Saudi verification, including biometric checks.
NAHCON also announced strict monitoring of airline performance, warning that underperforming carriers may lose allocations to better-performing operators.
States were advised to promptly refund intending pilgrims who will not travel to avoid disputes and preserve public trust.
Yusuf revealed plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to assess feeding, accommodation, sanitation and overall service delivery.
He said the best-performing states may receive national recognition, while non-compliance would attract sanctions.
The chairman reaffirmed that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain the primary custodians of pilgrims, while NAHCON’s role is regulatory.
He urged unity, professionalism and collective responsibility to ensure a successful 2026 Hajj operation.
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