The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a downward review of the 2026 Hajj fare for intending Nigerian pilgrims, following consultations with key stakeholders and approval from relevant authorities.
The development comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, in October, directed the Commission to review and reduce the earlier-announced Hajj fare.
NAHCON, under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO, Professor Saleh Usman, had initially released the 2026 Hajj fare in September, sparking concerns among stakeholders and prospective pilgrims over affordability.
In an updated statement released on Monday, November 10, by Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, the Commission unveiled significant reductions across the three designated zones:
Intending pilgrims from the Maiduguri/Yola Zone will now pay N7,579,020.96, down from the previous N8,118,033.67; those from the Northern Zone will pay N7,696,769.76 instead of N8,244,813.67; while pilgrims from the Southern Zone will pay N7,991,141.76, reduced from N8,561,013.67.
The reduction is based on a revised exchange rate of N1,443 to the US Dollar, offering savings of N539,013, N548,043.91, and N569,871.91 for pilgrims from the respective zones.
…Sets December 5 deadline for payment, warns against delay
The Commission has also fixed December 5, 2026, as the final deadline for intending pilgrims to complete their Hajj fare payments, citing time constraints and Saudi Arabia’s strict payment schedule.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, all funds for basic services contracts must be transferred by December 21, 2026, with no room for extension.
Explaining the urgency, NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information stated that payments via International Bank Account Number (IBAN) often take between 10 days to two weeks to be credited. To avoid missing the Saudi deadline, all remittances must therefore be made on or before December 5.
The Commission urged pilgrims and state boards to act promptly, warning that any delays could risk Nigeria’s full participation in the 2026 Hajj.
This move underscores NAHCON’s commitment to enhancing efficiency, accountability, and alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Hajj framework.
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