With the 2026 Hajj season fast approaching, time is running out for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, as Saudi Arabia has released its official operational calendar and the deadlines are tight.
By Chimezie Godfrey
With the 2026 Hajj season fast approaching, time is running out for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, as Saudi Arabia has released its official operational calendar and the deadlines are tight.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had issued the 1447 AH Hajj schedule to all participating countries even before the conclusion of the 2025 Hajj airlift. According to the document, preliminary awareness materials were released on June 8, 2025, while core operations are expected to begin by early September.
“We are already deep into the timeline, yet in Nigeria, there’s little sign of action,” said Ibrahim Muhammad, National Coordinator of the Independent Hajj Reporters. “Pilgrim registration hasn’t started, and we are still holding review meetings for 2025 while other nations are registering for 2026. It’s a cause for serious concern.”
Starting September 6, campsite data will be accessible through the Nusuk Massar platform, with the opening of pilgrims’ e-wallets. Between September 6 and 23, Hajj missions are expected to finalize contracts for camp accommodations (Mashair), transportation, and flight services.
But back home in Nigeria, preparations remain sluggish.
“Registration of pilgrims is not just late; it hasn’t even started. That’s 67 days to get everything done before Saudi closes the window on October 12. We are behind schedule, and we cannot afford to play catch-up again this year,” Muhammad warned.
He also highlighted the structural inefficiencies in Nigeria’s registration model.
“The process in Nigeria is fragmented. State pilgrims’ boards register pilgrims at local government and zonal levels before pushing data to NAHCON. It’s time-consuming — which is why early kickoff is critical, but we keep repeating the same mistakes.”
As of now, 2025 Hajj account reconciliations between NAHCON and the states have not been completed, raising questions about readiness for 2026 operations. Meanwhile, countries like Pakistan, Indonesia, Morocco, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Kuwait, and the UAE have begun registration and are preparing for camp bookings in Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia will not entertain any extensions this time. We’ve been told in clear terms that all deadlines are final. That’s why Nigeria must stop assuming there’s always time,” Muhammad stressed.
The Saudi schedule also includes:
”February 1, 2026 – Final date to complete payment for pilgrim accommodations in Makkah and Madinah.
”February 25 – March 20, 2026 – Visa issuance window, limited to just 23 days.
”April 16, 2026 – Commencement of pilgrims’ airlift to Saudi Arabia.
“From today, we have less than 180 days to finalize all logistics. Yet, we’re still discussing issues from last year. This cycle of delay and excuse-making must end,” he said.
On the danger of recurring lapses, Muhammad added: “The yearly ritual of waiting for deadline extensions is not a Hajj strategy. It is a gamble — and one that places Nigerian pilgrims at unnecessary risk.”
He concluded with a warning to Hajj administrators: “Hajj is not a place for propaganda. It is a serious religious duty that demands facts, planning, and visible results. We must align with the 2026 calendar now or face another round of chaos.”
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