NAHCON Rolls Out New Mandatory Guidelines Ahead Of 2026 Hajj Operations

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has unveiled a fresh set of operational rules for the 2026 Hajj, marking sweeping changes in flight handling, group coordination, medical screening and data management.

The updated guidelines, released on December 4, followed a meeting between NAHCON officials, State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and accredited Hajj airlines at the Commission’s Abuja headquarters. Signed by Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara, the document titled “NAHCON Directs Airlines To Issue 2026 Hajj Tickets Ahead Of Departure” aims to eliminate pre-arrival data errors and tighten compliance with Saudi Arabia’s evolving protocols.

Below are the 15 new directives for 2026 pilgrims and operators:

1. Airlines must issue 2026 Hajj flight tickets in partnership with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
2. Pilgrims must receive precise details of their departure date, time and location to prevent inaccurate pre-arrival submissions to Saudi authorities.
3. Missing a flight will attract serious consequences beginning with the 2026 Hajj.
4. Each ticket will be digitally connected to the pilgrim’s Nusuk Card, which will also be placed on assigned buses in Saudi Arabia.
5. Pilgrims cannot switch groups once visas are issued; group allocations remain binding.
6. Pilgrims will move in groups of 45 throughout Makkah, Madinah and the Masha’ir, and return as a unit.
7. Pre-arrival data including group lists, building numbers and bed-space allocations — must be uploaded by NAHCON 72 hours before departure on the Nusuk Masar platform.
8. Pilgrims absent at departure time will be classified as no-shows and may incur the cost of their unused seat.
9. Saudi Arabia’s new boarding card, containing full travel details, must be issued before departure.
10. State boards must remit Hajj fares early to avoid losing slots, as excess camp funds will be refunded by Saudi authorities.
11. Medical fitness requirements from Saudi Arabia must be strictly observed, with penalties for violations.
12. Pilgrims with any of nine disqualifying medical conditions are prohibited from travelling and will bear the cost if deported.
13. Only accredited and credible hospitals may issue medical fitness certificates for pilgrims.
14. Airline allocations for 2026 have been communicated but may be adjusted after further technical reviews.
15. Four airlines — Air Peace, FlyNas, Max Air and Umza Air remain approved carriers for the 2026 pilgrimage.

In closing, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, called for stronger cooperation, saying the success of the Hajj exercise depends on joint commitment from all stakeholders.