The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has completed the inspection of accommodation and catering facilities in Madinah as part of its early preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations.
In a statement released on Friday by Ahmad Muazu, Technical Assistant to the NAHCON Chairman on Media, the commission disclosed that the inspection exercise, held between November 3 and November 5, was led by Prof. Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS).
Muazu noted that the delegation comprised representatives from the Office of the Vice President, board members, and members of the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards Forum, alongside senior management officials of the Commission.
According to him, the core purpose of the inspection was to evaluate the readiness of all service providers ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage season. “The team conducted on-the-ground checks of hotel accommodations, verified the authenticity of operational documents, and ensured compliance with both Saudi regulations and NAHCON’s accommodation and feeding standards,” he stated.
Over the three days, the team inspected more than 20 hotels within the markaziyya area and seven catering facilities. Muazu added that the inspection revealed strong compliance with accommodation and feeding guidelines, with particular emphasis on safety and hygiene protocols
Meanwhile, the Chairman and CEO of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, had earlier charged members of the committee to uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in carrying out their duties. He urged them to maintain integrity, impartiality, and transparency throughout the exercise.
“The welfare, safety, and comfort of Nigerian pilgrims remain our foremost priority, and every inspection outcome must reflect that commitment,” Usman stated.
He further reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening its regulatory framework, enhancing accountability among service providers, and ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive value for every service paid for.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the inspection team is expected to submit a detailed report to the commission’s management for review and further policy action.
As part of its preparations for the 2026 Hajj, NAHCON has released a schedule outlining key deadlines for states, operators, and service providers. States and licensed operators are to remit funds by October 1, 2025, while the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi authorities will take place in November 2025
All camp-booking fees and service contract confirmations are to be completed by January 4, 2026, while transport and accommodation contracts must be uploaded on the Nusuk Masar portal by February 1, 2026. The final deadline for visa issuance has been fixed for March 20, 2026.
NAHCON has emphasized that these deadlines must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure Nigeria’s smooth participation in the 2026 Hajj operations.