The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has appealed for calm following concerns over accommodation arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims in Mina and Arafat ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The commission’s reaction followed reports attributed to a State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board alleging challenges with the standard of accommodation being provided for Nigerian pilgrims in the Mashair area.
In a statement issued by its management on Saturday, NAHCON acknowledged that concerns could arise during preparations for an operation as large and complex as Hajj, stressing that such issues were not unusual in the course of coordinating logistics for thousands of pilgrims.
The commission, however, assured intending pilgrims that efforts were ongoing to address the concerns and improve arrangements where necessary.
According to NAHCON, the selection and allocation of Mashair service providers for the 2026 Hajj exercise were based largely on the preferences and choices made by participating states during consultations with the commission.
It noted that the commission respected the collective decisions reached by the states in the interest of operational harmony and pilgrims’ welfare.
NAHCON urged State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and other officials to prioritise dialogue and constructive engagement with service providers rather than taking unresolved operational concerns to the media.
“The Commission further encourages states to work closely with service providers on-site to identify gaps, improve arrangements where necessary, and ensure that the comfort, safety, and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remain paramount,” the statement said.
The commission also reassured pilgrims that it would continue to monitor service delivery in the Mashair and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure a successful and hitch-free Hajj exercise.
NAHCON maintained that collaboration among all parties involved remained essential to resolving emerging issues and safeguarding the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
