February 23, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel | News Report
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has directed all State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to immediately refund intending pilgrims who will be unable to participate in the 2026 Hajj exercise due to quota limitations.
According to the commission, the directive became necessary following the early closure of data registration by authorities in Saudi Arabia, which significantly reduced available slots for several participating countries, including Nigeria.
NAHCON stressed that prompt refunds are critical to avoiding disputes, easing tensions, and maintaining public confidence in the pilgrimage process. The decision is expected to mainly affect pilgrims who completed payments late, as allocations were processed on a strict first-come, first-served basis.
Speaking on the development, NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, clarified that Nigeria was not singled out for the reduction.
“The adjustment in Hajj quota for 2026 is a global measure based on logistics capacity and new regulatory policies,” he explained.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s official allocation now stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding private tour operators, while the number of submitted registrations exceeded the approved limit.
As a result, state boards have been ordered to urgently reconcile records, remove excess entries, and fast-track refunds to prevent operational disruptions.
During a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with state pilgrimage officials, the NAHCON chairman also warned against last-minute substitutions on flight manifests, noting that new integrated systems linking airline bookings and accommodation arrangements make such changes difficult.
In a move expected to bring relief to intending pilgrims, the commission also announced a reduction in the Yellow Card vaccination fee from ₦5,000 to ₦2,000 after consultations with health authorities. Port Health Services will now directly oversee issuance and verification of vaccination certificates as Saudi authorities tighten screening protocols, including biometric validation.
NAHCON further revealed plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to evaluate service delivery during the pilgrimage, with top-performing states set for recognition, while those found wanting may face sanctions.
The commission also warned that underperforming airlines could lose passenger allocations, as pilgrims may be reassigned to more efficient carriers to ensure smooth operations.
