Feelers from Jedda, Saudi Arabia, where the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on modalities for next year’s Hajj operations, indicate that the Saudi’s have reiterated their earlier position that there will NOT be any extension of registration of pilgrims.
We gathered that Nigeria now has only two weeks from now to make financial commitments for services as outlined in the 2026 Hajj calendar. We also learned that the authorities there are threatening to further reduce Nigeria’s Hajj quota to 50,000 pilgrims owing to our inability to utilize the approved quotas.
The Ministry has already reduced the quota from 95,000 to 66,000 slots.
We are also aware that registration of intending pilgrims is progressing at a very slow pace because most intending pilgrims are awaiting the announcement of a lower 2026 Hajj fare.
In fact, many intending pilgrims have expressed their displeasure over the Nigerian authorities’ inability to announce a final Hajj fare for Hajj 2026.
NAHCON had earlier announced a triple fare for pilgrims flying from Maiduguri and Yola, those from other Northern departure centres and for those flying from the southern part of the country.
However, President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, directed the NAHCON leadership to review the fare downwards within 48 hours due to the lower exchange rate prevalent in the country.
We are aware that NAHCON has made some adjustments to the fare and forwarded their recommendations to the President for approval.
We are worried that the delay in approving the new fare will seriously affect the conduct of the 2026 Hajj and will have a negative impact on the number of Hajj pilgrims from Nigeria.
Nigeria stands as the fifth Hajj country before the Saudi Arabia Hajj Ministry slashed the quota to 66,000 this year
As it is, the failure to announce a final fare is grossly affecting full preparations for Nigerian pilgrims.
We therefore urge the President to approve a reduced final fare before it is too late. Too much time has been wasted already.
