Authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have warned Nigerian intending pilgrims to the upcoming 2026 Hajj exercise that anyone caught performing the holy pilgrimage without a valid Hajj visa will face the consequences of paying a fine of SR20,000 (about N8,158,344) and imprisonment.

The warning was handed to Nigeria on Monday during a virtual meeting between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, where both parties deliberated on preparations for next year?s Hajj exercise.

In the course of the meeting, presided over by an official of the Saudi ministry, Dr Rania Adham, the Saudis warned NAHCON of strict compliance with the deadlines for the 2026 Hajj, adding that those deadlines remain sacrosanct.

According to information made available to Tribune Online by NAHCON on the outcome of the meeting, such deadlines included the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in November; 4 January 2026 as the last day to finalise camp booking payments and confirm service contract packages; the 1 February 2026 deadline for uploading transport and accommodation contracts on the Nusuk Masar portal; while the 1st of Shawwal remains strictly the deadline for visa issuance.

While lamenting several incidents involving late preparations from Nigeria, the Saudi authorities warned that those deadlines would not shift.

They noted that delays could have negative consequences on the welfare and overall experience of pilgrims.

The Saudi representatives further emphasised that all Hadaya (sacrificial rites) payments and accommodation bookings must be carried out exclusively through the Nusuk Masar platform.

On its part, the NAHCON delegation at the virtual meeting, led by its Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, assured the Saudi authorities of the commission?s commitment to cooperate with them on any arrangements that would ensure the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.

Usman disclosed that NAHCON would work closely with relevant partners to ensure compliance with all deadlines and requirements, with a view to guaranteeing a smooth, well-coordinated and successful 2026 Hajj operation.

NAHCON had, at the 2025 post-Hajj meeting with private tour operators in Abuja last week, warned stakeholders that there would be no extension of deadlines set by the Saudi Arabian authorities for next year?s Hajj operations and appealed to all to strictly comply with the deadlines.

It then warned that there would be no deadline extensions for processing, payments or contractual agreements.

Usman had told the tour operators that NAHCON was ready to collaborate with stakeholders and called for total compliance with the deadlines for the 2026 Hajj operations.

?The commission (NAHCON) is committed to collaboration, fairness and transparency. But at the same time, we expect total compliance from all stakeholders as we work together to improve service delivery and meet global best practices,? the NAHCON boss told the private tour operators. (Nigerian Tribune)

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