We’re Committed To Transparency, Muslim Hajj Commission Boss Vows

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Muslims’ National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman has said that the Commission is committed to transparency in the conduct of its mandate.
He said: “The Commission is committed to collaboration, fairness, and transparency.“
Professor Usman spoke at the post-Hajj stakeholders’ meeting with Licensed Tour Operator Companies today, August 21, at the Hajj House in Abuja.
Professor Usman expressed deep appreciation to the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, private tour operators, and service providers for their immense contributions to the success of the 2025 Hajj operations.
He acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which enabled Nigerian pilgrims to perform Hajj with dignity, comfort and peace of mind.
This was even as the Commissioner of Operations in NAHCON, Prince Anofiu Elegushi cautioned stakeholders to strictly follow the official Saudi Hajj calendar and make early preparations.
“The Saudi Arabia has made it very clear — the dates on their calendar will not be extended by even a minute.
“Gone are the days when you could beg for extra weeks to process visas. For 2026, if the portal closes today, it closes today.”
He reminded stakeholders of the 2025 experience, where many assumed that Saudi authorities would grant extensions but missed deadlines and consequently lost participation slots.
Prince Elegushi reflected on the unexpected challenges during Arafat 2025, calling the experience a valuable lesson for the upcoming season.
“What happened in 2025 has given us insight and direction,” he said. “We must learn from it, plan better, and work faster. The Saudi system has changed, and we must adapt quickly.”
The NAHCON Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance (PPMF), Prince Aliu AbdulRazaq, briefed participants on refunds, pending complaints and payment processes.
He asked licensed tour operators to make early and timely payments for all Hajj-related obligations, saying that Saudi authorities will not grant extensions for contractual agreements or visa processing in 2026.
The Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal also commended tour operators on their 2025 Hajj successful outing and conduct. He called on all for continued cooperation with the Commission and ensure early payment and preparations for an improved 2026 Hajj experience for the Nigerian Pilgrim.
The Director of Inspectorate and Compliance, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, described the session as one of the most productive engagements between NAHCON management and licensed tour operators in recent times and praised the NAHCON leadership for approving and coordinating the meeting.