By: Jabiru Hassan.

The 2026 Hajj Media Monitoring Team of the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the 2026 Hajj outbound airlift of Nigerian intending pilgrims within the scheduled timeline.

This deserves commendation, as it reflects an operational milestone that largely aligned with projections, despite a few observations and logistical challenges recorded during the exercise. 

The IHR Media Monitoring Team stated in its second assessment report that the establishment of additional embarkation points in Zamfara and Ogun states is a positive development, as intending pilgrims from those states no longer need to undertake stressful interstate journeys before departure to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.   

The report, signed by the Chairman of the committee, Malam Nasiru Lawal, noted that the initiative has significantly reduced travel stress and improved safety for pilgrims. 

However, the creation of the new embarkation centres has placed additional logistical burdens on Hajj air carriers and overstretched the human resource capacity of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

More zonal officials are now required to be present at the various airports, while airlines also need additional ground operational personnel, a situation that may increase operational costs in subsequent Hajj exercises. 

The offshore monitoring team presented a relatively positive assessment of the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah, particularly regarding the standard of accommodation and the proximity of hotels to Masjid Al-Nabawi. 

We commend NAHCON for retaining the Markaziya locations for Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah, which continues to enhance pilgrims’ comfort and ease of access to the Prophet’s Mosque. 

However, NAHCON and the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards need to improve the turnaround time for the allocation of accommodation to arriving pilgrims in Madinah in order to reduce waiting periods after arrival, the team advised. 

We also observed that feeding arrangements have improved considerably compared to previous years, although there is still a need for greater variety and improvement in menu selection. 

IHR also described the launch of the interactive Hajj Companion App by NAHCON for Nigerian pilgrims as a major step forward in the drive towards the digitalisation of Hajj operations, especially in the areas of pilgrims’ movement coordination and orientation services. 

The IHR team noted that the application has the potential to evolve into Nigeria’s own version of the Nusuk platform, covering all aspects of Hajj administration and pilgrims’ services in the country. 

However, we recommend that NAHCON partner with State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Private Tour Operators in the development and integration of the application to make it more comprehensive and inclusive of all stakeholders’ activities. 

As the Masha’ir outing begins, we urge all operational stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims perform their Hajj rites under comfortable and conducive conditions.

Stakeholders should also avoid politicising Hajj services and focus on efficient service delivery to the guests of Allah. 

Further interim reports will be issued after the completion of the Hajj rites.