SUNTV GLOBAL CHANNEL REPORT
Thousands of Nigerian intending pilgrims may be unable to participate in the 2026 Hajj following the closure of Saudi Arabia’s registration portal, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
In an official statement released on Friday, the commission disclosed that the situation arose after additional Hajj slots approved for Nigeria came too late — arriving only after key registration systems in Saudi Arabia had already been shut down.
NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information and Publications, Fatima Usara, explained that Nigeria initially faced a sharp reduction in its Hajj quota, which was cut from 95,000 pilgrims to 50,000 by Saudi authorities. However, following diplomatic engagements by Nigerian officials, the country eventually secured additional slots.
According to Usara, the late timing of the approval created serious logistical challenges, preventing many intending pilgrims from completing their data submissions before the portal deadline.
She noted that after the quota reduction, NAHCON held meetings with state Hajj boards and cancelled earlier allocations, introducing a strict first-come, first-served system based on verified payments. Camp bookings were subsequently assigned only to pilgrims whose remittances were confirmed by the January 2 deadline.
Some states, including Kaduna and Niger, later received limited extra allocations through internal adjustments from states that had excess payments. Despite these efforts, many pilgrims who paid late could not be accommodated due to the closure of the Saudi operational portal.
The commission emphasized that it had repeatedly warned state authorities and intending pilgrims against delays, stressing that Saudi deadlines are strictly enforced.
NAHCON is now appealing for calm among affected pilgrims, assuring them that it is working to address the situation and will provide updates as developments unfold.
