ABUJA – The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially released a comprehensive schedule outlining essential deadlines for the 2026 Hajj operations. The Commission, while addressing licensed tour operators, state pilgrims’ welfare boards, and other stakeholders, warned that strict adherence to the timeline will be non-negotiable, especially as Saudi Arabian authorities maintain tighter controls on the planning and execution of the holy pilgrimage.
According to NAHCON, the countdown to a successful Hajj begins with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in November 2025, which will formalise Nigeria’s participation in the Hajj and allow for initial negotiations on logistics, accommodations, and pilgrim welfare. This agreement typically involves the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and is a foundational part of every Hajj season, especially in securing quota allocations, service providers, and compliance with Saudi regulations.
Following that, by 4th January 2026, all payments for camp bookings and confirmations of service contract packages are expected to be completed. This includes payments for facilities at Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, which are often high-demand locations during the peak of Hajj rituals.
The process continues into 1st February 2026, which marks the deadline for uploading transport and accommodation contracts onto the Nusuk Masar Portal, the digital platform regulated by Saudi Arabia for Hajj preparations. The portal allows for cross-border coordination and transparency, ensuring all arrangements are vetted and approved by Saudi authorities before pilgrims arrive.
NAHCON has further emphasised 20th March 2026 as the absolute cut-off date for visa issuance for all intending pilgrims. Any delay or failure to meet this deadline will result in disqualification, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia no longer permits late visa processing due to security, logistic, and crowd management measures.
However, the most important date on the timeline is the remittance deadline – 8th October 2025. This is the final day for state boards and private operators to make full payments into the designated accounts of NAHCON through the approved financial institutions, namely Jaiz Bank, TAJBank, LOTUS Bank, and The Alternative Bank. This remittance is crucial as it enables the Commission to commence bulk negotiations and reservations for services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A stern caution accompanies this deadline: there will be no extensions granted under any circumstances.
NAHCON has made it clear that any state or tour operator that fails to meet the remittance date risks exclusion from the 2026 Hajj exercise. This move is aligned with the global shift towards more structured and technology-driven pilgrimage management being championed by the Saudi authorities.
Prospective pilgrims are urged to commence preparations early and ensure that their payments and documentation are processed through the proper channels within the stipulated time frame. NAHCON also advised stakeholders to stay updated through official channels, including the Commission’s website at nigeriahajj.com, as well as its verified social media handles.
