The Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, has explained that the reduction in the quota allocated to Nigeria for the 2026 Hajj by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a global issue, not targeted at Nigeria alone.
This is even as the commission has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and strict regulatory oversight as preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah initially reduced Nigeria’s slots 66,000 from 95,000, which the country had been having for years and later reduced it to 50,000.
Speaking at his maiden meeting with strategic stakeholders’, commissioners, board members, executive secretaries and chairmen of state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, members of the Forum of State Executive Secretaries, the Medical Mission team, and management staff, held at the commission’s Hajj House headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Yusuf clarified that the quota reduction was a global development affecting multiple participating countries and not targeted at Nigeria.
According to him, the development was a result of adjustments to logistical capacity considerations and evolving regulatory measures by Saudi authorities.
He, therefore, urged state officials to correct public misconceptions suggesting that Nigeria was singled out.
Yusuf informed that Nigeria’s allocation stood at 40,250 for pilgrims from state boards, excluding those of tour operators.
He, however, said uploaded data reportedly exceeded that number and, therefore, directed states to urgently reconcile and withdraw excess entries to avoid bottlenecks.
The chairman emphasised that Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of extension.
He, therefore, instructed state pilgrims boards to conclude medical screenings, documentation, and data uploads within the prescribed operational window to ensure timely visa issuance with a view to beating the deadline.
The NAHCON boss advised states to promptly refund pilgrims who would not travel to prevent financial disputes and maintain public trust.
Yusuf then warned against substitution on flight manifests due to integration between airline bookings and accommodation systems.
He reaffirmed that state pilgrims’ welfare boards remain the primary custodians of pilgrims, while NAHCON’s role remains regulatory.
He then called for unity, professionalism and collective responsibility in ensuring a successful Hajj operation.
While briefing stakeholders at the meeting on strengthened health certification requirements, NAHCON board member representing the Ministry of Health, Dr Said Dumbulwa, explained that key measures included screening at government-recognised hospitals only; mandatory inclusion of Medical and Dental Council registration numbers; digital upload of medical certificates for verification and strict adherence to identified disqualifying medical conditions.
Dumbulwa insisted that private hospitals are not permitted to conduct Hajj certification, adding that NAHCON had put in place plans to establish a dedicated coordination platform to streamline medical processes nationwide.
In a major relief for intending pilgrims, the new Chairman announced that the Yellow Card fee had been reduced from N5,000 to N2,000 for the 2026 Hajj exercise following engagement with relevant health authorities.
He disclosed that Port Health Services would directly supervise the issuance and authentication of vaccination certificates, as Saudi authorities were introducing stricter verification protocols, including biometric checks.