Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the improved coordination of the 2026 Hajj operations.

Shettima made the commendation on Friday in Abuja while receiving the comprehensive 2026 Hajj operations report from the NAHCON board, led by its Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf.

The Vice-President attributed the success of the pilgrimage to President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and intervention during the operations.

He also praised the NAHCON board, particularly its chairman, for what he described as confidence, capacity and professionalism displayed during the exercise.

Shettima said NAHCON remained crucial to the success of future Hajj operations, particularly as Saudi Arabia moves towards a business-to-business model in the organisation of the pilgrimage.

He said the government would continue to play an important role in ensuring smooth Hajj operations despite the changing model.

Yusuf thanked Tinubu and Shettima for their support, particularly interventions that helped stabilise access to foreign exchange, secure basic travelling allowances and mitigate increases in aviation fuel costs.

He said the measures helped reduce the financial burden on Nigerian pilgrims and contributed to the smooth conduct of the 2026 pilgrimage.

According to NAHCON, the 2026 Hajj involved the airlift of about 38,000 Nigerian pilgrims through numerous outbound and return flights, with the return operation completed in June.

The NAHCON chairman said the commission had also begun preparations for the transition to the emerging business-to-business model, while maintaining its regulatory and supervisory responsibilities.

The meeting was attended by members of the NAHCON board and other senior officials involved in the organisation of the 2026 Hajj.