Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Hajj have entered a critical phase following new regulatory measures introduced by Saudi authorities, including a mandatory medical fitness certification for pilgrims seeking visas and a significant reduction in Nigeria’s pilgrimage quota.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced that the measures are part of broader reforms by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening health safeguards and improving logistical management during the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
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The development comes as NAHCON intensifies coordination with its Saudi service provider, Mashariq Aldhahabiya, in a bid to address operational challenges experienced during the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Mandatory Medical Fitness Certificate
NAHCON said Saudi authorities have made the submission of duly processed medical fitness certificates a compulsory requirement for the issuance of visas for all pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj.
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In a notice to State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, agencies, commissions and licensed tour operators, the commission directed that the certificates of all registered pilgrims be submitted not later than 2 March 2026.
According to the commission, the requirement is part of the Saudi government’s global framework designed to safeguard public health during the pilgrimage, which attracts millions of Muslims from across the world.
NAHCON warned that failure to comply with the directive within the stipulated deadline could lead to the loss of visa slots for affected pilgrims.
“This measure is not peculiar to Nigeria,” the commission stated, noting that the policy applies to all participating countries as part of efforts by Saudi authorities to mitigate health risks associated with the mass gathering.
Nigeria’s Hajj Quota Reduced from 95,000 to 50,000
In addition to the new health requirement, NAHCON disclosed that Saudi authorities have reduced Nigeria’s Hajj quota for 2026 from 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims.
The commission explained that the reduction forms part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to strengthen health protocols and improve logistics management during the pilgrimage.
The policy affects all participating countries, according to NAHCON, and is intended to ensure more efficient crowd control and better service delivery for pilgrims.
While the decision will limit the number of Nigerians able to perform Hajj this year, the commission said it aligns with ongoing global reforms by Saudi Arabia to enhance safety and organisation of the pilgrimage.
NAHCON, Saudi Service Provider Move to Prevent Past Challenges
Meanwhile, NAHCON says it is working closely with its Saudi service provider, Mashariq Aldhahabiya, to ensure smoother operations for Nigerian pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Yusuf Abba, disclosed this in Abuja during a strategic meeting with officials of the Saudi-based firm led by its board chairman, Mohammed Amin Hassan Andangiri.
Mashariq Aldhahabiya is responsible for overseeing services provided to Nigerian pilgrims under the government quota in Saudi Arabia.
Mr Abba said the commission is aligning its operations with the service provider to prevent the challenges recorded during the 2025 pilgrimage.
Lessons from 2025 Hajj Operations
The NAHCON chairman said several operational issues encountered during the previous Hajj exercise informed the new coordination strategy.
Among the challenges recorded were data mismatches involving flight manifests, contract numbers and accommodation allocations, which disrupted the smooth processing of some pilgrims.
To prevent a recurrence, both NAHCON and Mashariq Aldhahabiya agreed to strengthen coordination in key operational areas, including strict visa processing timelines, accurate data uploads and proper verification of accommodation contracts before pilgrims depart Nigeria.
NAHCON also plans to intensify compliance checks at departure centres to ensure that flight manifests and building allocations correspond with approved records.
Joint Situation Room to Monitor Operations
As part of the new measures, both organisations agreed to establish a joint Situation Room that will provide real-time operational updates and enable officials to swiftly address emerging issues during the pilgrimage.
NAHCON said the engagement forms part of its broader strategy to improve planning, coordination and service delivery for Nigerian pilgrims.
The commission expressed appreciation to state pilgrims’ boards and licensed tour operators for their cooperation and urged them to promptly comply with the new requirements to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj exercise for Nigerian pilgrims in 2026.
