The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has signed the 2026 Hajj transportation agreement as part of preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage.
Chairman of NAHCON, Ismail Abba, disclosed this in a statement issued by the commission’s Information Officer, Shafii Mohammed, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abba urged the participating airlines to strictly adhere to operational standards and timelines. He described the agreement as a significant milestone in the commission’s readiness for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
According to him, transportation remains a critical component of Hajj operations and must be executed with professionalism, precision, and commitment. He commended the airlines for their previous performances but stressed that compliance with the terms of the agreement was non-negotiable.
Abba noted that Hajj operations are time-sensitive and require careful coordination to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are transported to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within stipulated schedules.
He revealed that the agreement includes clear compliance measures, such as recovery timelines for airlines that fall behind schedule and alternative arrangements where necessary to prevent disruptions. He assured stakeholders that NAHCON would diligently perform its oversight responsibilities to safeguard the interests of pilgrims.
“Any airline that performs excellently will continue to enjoy our confidence and partnership, but any airline that underperforms or fails to meet agreed timelines will be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the agreement. The interest of Nigerian pilgrims remains our top priority,” Abba said.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing, Anofiu Elegushi, described the agreement as a demonstration of strengthened collaboration and shared commitment to service excellence.
Elegushi said lessons learned from the 2025 Hajj transportation exercise would guide improvements in the 2026 operations. He emphasised that punctuality, operational efficiency, adequate aircraft deployment, and effective management of operational challenges are vital to the success of the exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the participating airlines, Shehu Wada, Executive Director and representative of Max Air, thanked NAHCON for its confidence in the carriers.
Wada described Hajj transportation as a national responsibility and assured the commission of the airlines’ commitment to safety, punctuality, and adherence to agreed schedules.