Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday hailed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and other stakeholders for what he described as the successful and near-flawless conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise, urging them to build on the achievement as Nigeria embraces a new model for pilgrimage administration.

The Vice President spoke while receiving the Board and Management of NAHCON and representatives of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation briefed him on the outcome of the just-concluded 2026 Hajj operations and outlined preparations for future pilgrimages, including ongoing reforms by the Saudi authorities expected to reshape Hajj administration.

Commending the commission and its partners, Senator Shettima said the smooth coordination of the 2026 pilgrimage reflected dedication, effective planning and improved collaboration among all stakeholders.

He noted that while no operation of such magnitude is entirely without challenges, the overall success of the exercise had raised the standard for subsequent pilgrimages.

“The performance recorded in the 2026 Hajj operation should become the benchmark going forward,” the Vice President said, urging NAHCON and the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to sustain the momentum in pursuit of a completely hitch-free pilgrimage experience for Nigerian pilgrims.

Shettima also expressed support for ongoing reforms aimed at making Hajj administration more efficient, transparent and sustainable.

Earlier, NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, presented a summary of the 2026 Hajj exercise and briefed the Vice President on the Saudi government’s transition to a business-to-business model for Hajj operations under its Vision 2030 programme.

He explained that the new framework would see licensed private tour operators handle about 98 per cent of pilgrimage operations, while NAHCON would retain its statutory role as regulator, responsible for oversight, quality assurance and coordination.

According to him, the reform is designed to enhance efficiency, deepen private sector participation and align Hajj operations with international best practices.

Ambassador Yusuf assured the Vice President that the commission had already begun preparations to implement the new framework, stressing that NAHCON remained fully committed to ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining the high operational standards achieved during the 2026 Hajj exercise.

He added that the commission would continue to work closely with state pilgrims welfare boards, service providers and other stakeholders to guarantee improved service delivery and a better pilgrimage experience for Nigerian pilgrims in the years ahead.