The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced a series of deadlines for the successful coordination of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
This is as the agency urged intending pilgrims, state boards, and private tour operators to strictly adhere to the schedule.
All these were detailed in a statement showing the critical timelines on its X account on Friday.
According to the timetable, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi authorities will take place in November 2025, marking the official commencement of Hajj preparations.
By 4 January 2026, all camp booking payments must be completed, and service contract packages confirmed.
This will be followed by 1 February 2026 deadline for uploading transport and accommodation contracts on the Nusuk Masar portal.
The commission emphasised that 20 March 2026 is the final deadline for visa issuance, stressing that there will be no extensions under any circumstances.
In addition, NAHCON has fixed 8 October 2025 as the remittance deadline, a critical requirement for states and licensed operators to secure their slots in the pilgrimage.
A statement from the commission highlighted the importance of strict compliance with the schedule to avoid disruptions in the Hajj operations.
‘These timelines are non-negotiable. All stakeholders must ensure early compliance to guarantee a smooth and hitch-free Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims’, the commission said.
PUNCH Online reports that observers from the comment section noted that with the increasing demand for Hajj slots globally, adherence to Saudi Arabia’s digital and logistical requirements has become stricter, making NAHCON’s timeline pivotal for Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 pilgrimage.
