General News
Hajj: Saudi reforms operations gives September 26 deadline for 2027 Pilgrims upload
By Sam Otuonye
In a bold policy shift to upgrade the experience, streamline operations and services to Pilgrims visiting the holy land of Mecca, for their sacred duty, the Saudi Authority has introduced new measures to make the experience worthwhile, even as it has given September 26, 2026, as deadline for intending pilgrims to upload their data.
The development was made known by the Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, in a media interaction on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Hajj House’s Conference Hall, Abuja.
Ambassador Yusuf, who explained that the essence of the parley was to review the new norms occasioned by the reform, and get the Muslim community acquainted with them, stated that the reform touched several areas of the Hajj operations including digitalization, business model, medical, transportation, accommodation, and the scrapping of the grade D package, as well as a new operational calendar.
“The core objective is to transition from a decade-old state-managed public system into a highly commercial, digitized, and strictly regulated private market. This strategic evolution balances an ambitious goal of hosting 30 million pilgrims by 2030 with highly rigid, uncompromising safety and
operational protocol. The most prominent component of the reforms are privatization and market
disruption of the B2B system.
“Saudi Arabia is systematically moving away from dealing with government-run national governance, welfare laws, such that we have in Nigeria. Instead, it is forcing international Hajj delegations to migrate to a business model. In the case of Nigeria this year, there was an attempt
for us to move 98% of the pilgrims to a tour operator model. For us, this drastic reform.”
Ambassador Yusuf emphasized the need for pilgrims to upscale their digital literacy and professionalism in order to align with the logistics, medical disaster management, and digital operations the reform has introduced.
“Moving forward, the Saudi government is cancelling the grade D package because they believe that anybody who comes to perform Hajj should have the best experience. So that is an issue.
Then, of course, they are thinking about face-to-face training. Anybody who is a Hajj administrator should also be professional. No room for ad-hoc people
handling Hajj administration anymore.
“There are going to be specialised training on logistics, on medical services, disaster management and crowd control. All that are going to be included in their welfare. All that are going to be included in the packages for training. And we expect that unless you get certification for that, you are not going to be accepted as a Hajj manager.
Meaning that you will not get an official visa to perform any function as a Hajj manager. However, you can go on Hajj as an ordinary citizen.
“Of course, there is a complete digitisation and centralisation. The central cornerstone of the ecosystem is the Nusuk application and the Masar
platform. All visa applications, hotel booking, flight confirmations, entry permits, including access to the
holy sites must be secured and paid for exclusively through digital portal. And of course, it means that you need to embrace digital infrastructure to be able to do that. Otherwise, it will be difficult
for your children to access all the holy sites.”
Ambassador Yusuf stated that the
commonly affordable grade D which accommodates 80 to 90% of poor Nigerian pilgrims who, out of
commitment to their religion, save over time to be able to perform the sacred duty has been scrapped in order to give every participant a rewarding experience.
On the Nigeria’s response to the reforms,
recognizing that an abrupt overhaul would collapse the long-established Hajj administrative system in Nigeria, Ambassador Yusuf said NAHCON responded with structured diplomatic resistance and negotiated concessions.
He said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria successfully argued that an immediate 98 percent shift
to privatization would trigger financial shock and leave the country, the ordinary Nigerian women, prized out of Hajj hence, on August 18, 2026, NAHCON secured a major diplomatic concession, getting Saudi approval for a phased transition over a three-year period, commencing with 30 percent
withdrawal from the 2027 Hajj.
He said that they made an appeal for Saudi to increase their quota, because of the increased number of applicants this year 2026, but was turned down, insisting that the 50,000 was sacrosanct.
“We however promised that next year (2027) we will consider adjustment in our quota, depending on how we perform this year, performance in terms of quota utilization, if we are able to finish using
our quarter.”
On the institutional and government response to the Saudi reform, NAHCON chairman said, “The Nigerian government has shown its full institutional way behind compliance, that
Nigeria should comply. The government emphasizes that Nigeria must remain a law-abiding partner to maintain its
diplomatic credibility and prestige. So, NAHCON is complying as much as it can.”
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Business and Economy
NCC commends Glo’s efforts on customer service

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the telecoms industry regulator, has commended Globacom on its outstanding performance in consumer complaint management and resolution.
In a letter to the company, which was signed by Kabiru S. Haruna, Principal Manager, Consumer Protection & Advocacy
Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB), the Commission expressed happiness at Globacom’s treatment and resolution of customer issues during the month of August, 2026.
The letter read in part: “We are pleased to note that your organization achieved and surpassed the Commission’s complaint resolution thresholds of 90% and 97% for Level 2 (L2) complaints. This accomplishment reflects your commitment to regulatory compliance, consumer satisfaction, and the continuous improvement of service delivery.”
NCC noted that Globacom’s dedication to timely complaint resolution and adherence to established Service Level Agreements (SLAs) put in place by the Commission has contributed significantly to enhancing consumer confidence and promoting a positive customer experience within the telecommunications sector.
The Commission further encouraged Globacom to sustain this level of outstanding performance while continuing to implement measures aimed at further improving service quality and consumer satisfaction.
Globacom noted that constant training of its customer-interfacing staff and investment in the latest technology were responsible for observed improvement. The company promised not to relent in this regard.
Business and Economy
TCN, NISO, KEDCO, others meet in Kano to map out outage, load diversion on Kumbotso-Dan Agundi 132KV transmission line

By Chidera Orji
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Kano Region, has held a coordinating meeting with Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), project contractors, and Kano State Ministry of Works, aimed at discussing a proposed outage and load diversion for the elongation of Towers 27 and 28 on the Kumbotso–Dan Agundi 132kV Transmission Line.

The meeting, which was held on Monday, October 5, , at the Regional Conference Room, Kano, was chaired by General Manager (Transmission), Kano Region, Engr. M. K. Bello, according to press statement made available to DISCLOSURE News by the Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), yesterday.
In his opening remarks, Engr. Bello expressed confidence in the contractors’ competence but emphasized that they must thoroughly assess all proposed technical connections and switching arrangements before implementation to ensure operational safety and network reliability.
Also speaking at the meeting, the NISO Regional Operations Coordinator (ROC), Engr. Kunle Egbedinni, stressed the need for strict Grid Code compliance, particularly the requirement to submit planned outage applications at least 14 days in advance for approval.
The Head, Operations and Maintenance, KEDCO, Engr. Sabiu Haruna proposed diverting the load served by Dan Agundi 132kV Substation to alternative substations, including Dakata 132kV, Tamburawa 132kV, Rimin Zakara 330kV, Kumbotso 330kV, and Wudil 132kV substations, within a proposed two-day outage window.
Participants reviewed network capacity and alternative supply arrangements for the exercise. They observed that Hadejia 132kV Substation could not absorb the full 60MW load earmarked for diversion, and assessed supply options from the Tamburawa, Rimin Zakara and Dakata substations. They also emphasised the need to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
The meeting concluded with all stakeholders committing to strengthen inter-agency coordination, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate timely project execution.
General News
APC appoints Wike, Gov Adeleke as campaign coordinators

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a revised list of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.
It appointed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to key campaign positions.
Wike will coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, while Adeleke has been named the campaign coordinator for Osun State.
The appointments were contained in a notice obtained on Tuesday, which announced the inauguration of the campaign council for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The revised list also names Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as Director of Finance, while Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), will coordinate fundraising.
Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been listed among the campaign council advisers alongside Obafemi George, who will also advise on media matters.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has been appointed Deputy Director-General for South II, while Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule will serve as South-South Deputy Coordinator for State Assemblies mobilisation.
Minister of Works David Umahi has also been named Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure and Sensitisation.
In the media and communications team, the list includes Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Lere Olayinka, media aide to Wike, and Segun Sowunmi.
Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has been appointed Deputy Director for Sports Sector Mobilisation, while businessman Ayiri Emami will serve as Director of Special Duties.
Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been named Director of Stakeholder Mobilisation, while former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will coordinate stakeholder mobilisation in the South-West.
Senator Abdulaziz Yari retains his position as Director-General of the campaign council, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole serving as Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation and Femi Gbajabiamila as Deputy Director-General for Administration.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also retains his position as secretary of the council. APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as deputy secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.
Dele Alake remains the campaign council’s spokesman, while James Faleke will oversee election planning, coordination and monitoring as Deputy Director-General.
The revised list follows controversy over the composition of the campaign council initially unveiled in August.
President Tinubu had constituted the council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with himself as chairman and Vice President Kashim Shettima as vice chairman. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda was also named a vice chairman.
Yari was appointed Director-General, while the initial list generated controversy over the inclusion and exclusion of some political figures and party leaders.
The Presidency had previously dismissed reports that the list was withdrawn for a comprehensive review, maintaining that it remained valid but could be adjusted where necessary.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Dare explained that the campaign structure was still being developed and that additional names would be included in the subcommittees yet to be constituted.
“As it is with every other list, there’s a room for subcommittees. Those subcommittees have not been formed, and so many other names will come into that subcommittee,” he had said.
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