The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the cancellation of the traditional allocation of Hajj slots to states for the 2026 pilgrimage, adopting instead a first-come, first-served approach based on payment of Hajj fares.
The decision was revealed in a statement issued on Monday, November 10, 2025 by Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, the Commission.
Hajiya Sanda disclosed that states will now secure slots only upon remittance of pilgrims’ fares, as part of measures to meet Saudi Arabia’s tight deadlines.
According to the new arrangement, states that pay earlier will be allotted slots based on the number of fully registered pilgrims, while those that delay risk losing out, regardless of previous allocations.
Chairman of the Forum of States’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Alhaji Idris Almakura, urged all state officials currently on assignment in Saudi Arabia to wrap up quickly and return to Nigeria to begin full mobilization for registration, noting the urgency of the situation.
He emphasized that timely payment is now critical to ensuring Nigeria fills its quota for the 2026 Hajj.
The Commission also reminded states and pilgrims that the deadline for full remittance is December 5, 2026, warning that missing this date may jeopardise Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Hajj.
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