NAHCON COMMENCES VERIFICATION EXERCISE OF PRIVATE TOUR OPERATORS AHEAD OF 2026 HAJJ AND UMRAH SEASON
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has launched a nationwide verification exercise for Private Tour Operators in preparation for the 2026 Umrah and Hajj operations.
The exercise follows the recent inauguration of the Committee on Licensing and Verification of Private Tour Operators by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, at the Haji House, Abuja. The Committee is tasked with assessing all applications submitted by both licensed and intending Tour Operator companies seeking accreditation to participate in the upcoming pilgrimage season.
The verification exercise began in Kano State and is being conducted by a delegation from the Commission’s Tour Operators Unit under the Operations, Inspectorate, and Licensing Department (OILS). The team is visiting company offices to inspect facilities, review documentation, evaluate staffing, and ensure compliance with operational guidelines set by the Commission.
A NAHCON representative explained that the exercise aims to ensure that only credible, financially capable, and operationally prepared companies are granted licenses to handle pilgrim services for the 2026 Hajj and Umrah.
“This process is essential for transparency, accountability, and quality assurance. It ensures that only operators who meet the Commission’s standards and Saudi Arabian regulatory requirements are accredited,” the official stated.
Professor Usman, during the Committee’s inauguration, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to strict compliance, noting that the integrity of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah operations depends heavily on the credibility of licensed Tour Operators.
The verification exercise will soon extend to other geopolitical zones, covering all registered and intending Tour Operators nationwide.
Through this initiative, NAHCON reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims, whether traveling under state boards or private operators, receive the highest standard of service and protection throughout the 2026 Hajj and Umrah operations.
