Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the seamless handling of the 2026 Hajj operation.

In a statement on Wednesday, Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson for the vice president, said Mr Shettima gave the commendation after receiving the NAHCON delegation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the statement, the delegation briefed the vice president on the just-concluded 2026 Hajj exercise and outlined projections for future operations.

Mr Shettima also praised the efforts of NAHCON, the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and other stakeholders, congratulating them on what he described as an almost seamless operation.

He said the performance recorded during the 2026 Hajj exercise should serve as the benchmark for future operations, especially as authorities work towards adopting a more sustainable model aimed at ensuring a 100 per cent hitch-free pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, the chairman of NAHCON, Ismail Yusuf, presented a summary of the 2026 Hajj exercise and informed the cice president of the Saudi authorities’ decision to transition to a more sustainable business-to-business model.

Mr Yusuf explained that the move, which transfers the handling of 98 per cent of pilgrims to private tour operators, is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

He added that the new arrangement promotes a business-to-business model, with NAHCON retaining its regulatory role while ceding the operational aspects of the Hajj to the private sector.