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By Olu Balogun
Ahead of the 2026 Hajj, Nigerian intending pilgrims have been warned against travelling for the holy pilgrimage without valid visa or face the risk of paying SR20,000 (over N8 million) and imprisonment.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA authorities gave the warning during a meeting held virtually on Monday between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, where both parties deliberated on preparations for next year’s Hajj exercise.
According to a statement issued by NAHCON’s AbdulBasit Abba, the Saudi authorities also warned Nigeria on the need for strict compliance with the deadlines for the 2026 Hajj, adding that those deadlines remain sacrosanct.
The meeting, presided over by an official of the Saudi ministry, Dr. Rania Adham, listed such deadlines as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU in November; January 4, 2026 as the last day to finalise camp booking payments and confirm service contract packages; February 1, 2026 deadline for uploading transport and accommodation contracts on the Nusuk Masar portal; while the 1st of Shawwal remains strictly the deadline for visa issuance.
While lamenting several incidents involving late preparations from Nigeria, the Saudi authorities warned that those deadlines would not shift.
They noted that delays could have negative consequences on the welfare and overall experience of pilgrims.
The Saudi authorities further emphasised that all Hadaya (sacrificial rites) payments and accommodation bookings must be carried out exclusively through the Nusuk Masar platform.
Speaking at the virtual meeting, the NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, assured the Saudi authorities of the commission’s commitment to cooperate with them on any arrangements that would ensure the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrim
Usman disclosed that NAHCON would work closely with relevant partners to ensure compliance with all deadlines and requirements, with a view to guaranteeing a smooth, well-coordinated and successful 2026 Hajj operation.
NAHCON had, at the 2025 post-Hajj meeting with private tour operators in Abuja last week, warned stakeholders that there would be no extension of deadlines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities for next year’s Hajj operations and appealed to all to strictly comply with the deadlines.
The commission maintained that there would be no deadline extensions for processing, payments or contractual agreements.
