By Soliu Oyesiji
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has refuted claims that Nigeria forfeited 20,000 Hajj slots, insisting that the reduction in the country’s allocation was due to a policy decision by Saudi authorities.
The commission said reports suggesting that its leadership rejected slots were misleading, noting that the cut in Nigeria’s quota followed a global review by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah aimed at managing crowd control and improving safety during the pilgrimage.
Findings indicate that the new policy, introduced by Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in December 2025, significantly reduced Nigeria’s allocation from about 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims.
Chairman of NAHCON, Ismail Abba Yusuf, dismissed the allegations, stating that the commission did not at any time decline any slots.
“At no point did Nigeria reject any Hajj slots. Rather, we formally applied for an increase, but the request was not approved by the Saudi authorities,” he said.
He explained that the approved slots were subsequently shared through Nigeria’s existing framework, with 40,250 allocated to state pilgrims welfare boards and 9,750 to licensed private tour operators.
Yusuf added that NAHCON remains focused on efficient coordination and compliance with Saudi guidelines to ensure a smooth Hajj operation for Nigerian pilgrims.
Further findings revealed that the quota adjustment is linked to stricter health and safety measures introduced by Saudi Arabia, including mandatory medical screening, vaccination requirements and restrictions on individuals with serious underlying health conditions.
The commission emphasised that its responsibilities are limited to organising and facilitating the participation of Nigerian pilgrims, stressing that quota decisions rest solely with Saudi authorities.
The development reflects a broader global effort to ensure a safer and better-managed Hajj exercise rather than any administrative failure on Nigeria’s part, according to PR Nigeria.
