The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a provisional fare of ₦8.5 million for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, subject to final negotiations with service providers. This update was made public following a post-Hajj review meeting with Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, convened to assess the conduct of the 2025 pilgrimage and strategize ahead of the upcoming exercise.
Disclosing the development, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, explained that the tentative figure reflects the current economic realities and efforts by the Commission to ensure early planning. She clarified that the fare is yet to be finalized and will depend on the outcome of ongoing deliberations with service contractors, particularly in relation to accommodation, transportation, and other logistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Hajj quota remains unchanged, with the country retaining its 95,000 pilgrim slots as approved by the Saudi authorities. Usara noted that the allocation to individual state pilgrims’ boards would continue based on the previous year’s distribution framework, thereby ensuring continuity and consistency in the mobilisation process.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Commission and Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj. He particularly commended the Federal Government’s intervention which enabled Hajj air carriers to accept payment in naira, a decision that significantly shielded intending pilgrims from the harsh impact of foreign exchange volatility.
The Commission also began early preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations, with deliberations on key issues already underway. Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), led the discussion on the proposed 2026 Hajj calendar, while Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, coordinated talks around the operational components of the upcoming pilgrimage.
NAHCON emphasized that early planning is critical to avoiding last-minute hitches and will allow both the Commission and state boards to fine-tune logistics well ahead of time. Stakeholders were urged to commence sensitization of prospective pilgrims and begin internal preparations in alignment with the Commission’s guidelines.
As NAHCON works towards concluding service agreements and securing favourable terms for Nigerian pilgrims, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and the spiritual wellbeing of all intending pilgrims heading to the holy land in 2026.
