The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON has conducted a comprehensive review of the 2026 Hajj operations at the holy sites and unveiled the operational calendar for the 2027 Hajj exercise to facilitate early preparations by stakeholders.
The review meeting, held on the night of May 31 2026 at La Rose Al Sindi Hall in Al Kakiyyah, Makkah, brought together NAHCON officials, State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Hajj administrators, Ulama and other stakeholders involved in the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the meeting, participants assessed activities carried out in the Masha’ir, including operations in Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifah and the Jamarat. Progress reports presented at the gathering highlighted achievements recorded during the Hajj exercise while also identifying areas requiring improvement.
Among the major challenges discussed were overcrowded accommodations in some locations, inadequate toilet facilities, complaints of substandard food services by some state contingents, health related issues affecting pilgrims and communication gaps during critical stages of the pilgrimage.
The National Ulama Team also presented its report, outlining its contributions to the spiritual enlightenment and guidance of Nigerian pilgrims from their departure from Nigeria through their stay in Madinah and Makkah. The team emphasized that continuous religious guidance played a significant role in helping pilgrims perform their Hajj rites correctly and successfully.
As part of efforts to promote national unity and seek divine intervention for the country’s peace and progress, NAHCON urged State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to organize special prayers and Tawaf on behalf of Nigeria during the pilgrimage.
In a major development, the commission announced the release of the 2027 Hajj operational calendar. NAHCON noted that the early release of the timetable would enable states and other stakeholders to commence planning and make necessary arrangements well ahead of next year’s pilgrimage.
The Katsina State delegation at the meeting was led by the Amirul Hajj and Head of Delegation Barrister Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq. Other members of the delegation included the Chairman of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Kabir Bature popularly known as Sarkin Alhazai, the Executive Director of the Board Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi Dankama, Director of Operations Dr. Nasir Dan-Zaria and Director of Finance and Accounts Alhaji Sagir Abdullahi Inde.
Speaking after the meeting, members of the Katsina delegation reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with NAHCON and other relevant stakeholders to improve service delivery and enhance the welfare of pilgrims. They expressed optimism that lessons learned from the 2026 Hajj exercise would contribute to a more efficient and successful pilgrimage operation in the years ahead.
