Hajj 2026: Last-minute leadership change sparks fears of operations glitch
Pilgrims operators, under the aegis of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators (Northcentral) Nigeria, have expressed concerns over the implications of the sudden resignation of National Hajj Commission of
Pilgrims operators, under the aegis of the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators (Northcentral) Nigeria, have expressed concerns over the implications of the sudden resignation of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, on this year’s Hajj operation.
The Chairman of the association, Mallam Samsudeen Abdulsalam, stated that Usman’s resignation has raised serious concerns about the almost-concluded preparations for the 2026 Hajj.
Abdulsalam said: “Earlier this month, the Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabia, came for a sensitisation programme for Hajj operators in Nigeria and confirmed that the last Hajj and Umrah was one of the worst in history for Nigerians.
“He expressed the hope that the next Hajj would be better, advising a better preparation for the 2026 Hajj operation.
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“It is now disturbing that at this last minute, when contract agreements with carriers have been signed, with the first flight scheduled for May 1, 2026, and pilgrims’ data upload was supposed to be completed, but extended for just a week.
“Following the resignation of the (NAHCON) chairman, accommodation and tents (Masha’ir) have been sorted, and visas are to be ready next week. We are faced with the uncertainty of a possible disruption in these arrangements by an imminent change in the Nigerian Hajj Commission leadership,” he said.
He added: “We hope that the Federal Government allows the leadership of the Hajj Commission that has been handling the arrangements for the 2026 Hajj operations to ensure a hitch-free Hajj operation that may arise from a change in leadership at a poor time.”
