* Nigeria drops in ranking as utilisation falls below 50,000
Saudi Arabia is expected to host between approximately 1.7 million and 2 million pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj season, according to operational projections based on recent trends and ongoing planning frameworks across the Kingdom, Muslim News can authoritatively confirm.
The final figure is not usually fixed in advance, as it depends on several key factors including country-specific allocations, visa approvals, health compliance requirements, and overall capacity management across the holy sites in Makkah, Madinah, and the Mashair areas.
Our correspondent gathered that in the 2025 Hajj season, about 1.67 million pilgrims performed the pilgrimage, a figure that serves as a reference point for expectations in 2026 as Saudi authorities continue to refine operational planning.
The Kingdom continues to implement a structured quota system that allocates pilgrimage slots to countries based on Muslim population size and bilateral agreements with respective governments.
These quotas are reviewed annually and implemented through official arrangements between Saudi authorities and national Hajj commissions across participating countries.
Indonesia tops global ranking as Pakistan, India follow
Indonesia is expected to lead the global ranking for this year’s Hajj with an allocation of 221,000 pilgrims, maintaining its position as the largest quota holder worldwide.
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Pakistan ranks second with 179,210 pilgrims, according to reports from Pakistani authorities and confirmation from the Ministry of Religious Affairs earlier in 2026, placing it among the biggest beneficiaries of the global quota system.
India ranks third with about 175,025 pilgrims confirmed through its Hajj Committee. The figure represents less than one percent of the country’s estimated Muslim population, highlighting the limited annual access under the quota system, although India remains one of the top contributors to the pilgrimage globally.
Türkiye, Bangladesh and Iran shape wider participation
Türkiye is expected to rank fourth with 85,000 pilgrims set to embark on the spiritual journey. The selection followed a highly competitive lottery process conducted last year by the Diyanet, the country’s religious affairs authority, which recorded 1,799,835 registered hopefuls, underscoring the intense demand for limited pilgrimage slots.
Bangladesh is projected to rank fifth with about 78,500 pilgrims allocated for the season. The figure represents a decline from the 127,198 pilgrims recorded in 2025, although Bangladesh remains a major global participant in the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Iran, which initially had an allocation of 80,000 pilgrims, will now send about 30,000 due to geopolitical tensions involving Israel and the United States. The first group of Iranian pilgrims arrived on April 27, with Saudi authorities ensuring full reception, hospitality and safety arrangements.
Egypt overtakes Nigeria as Africa’s top Hajj participant with 67,000 pilgrims
In Africa, Egypt will lead intending pilgrims with an allocation of about 67,000 pilgrims, overtaking Nigeria in the continental ranking as new quota distributions and operational plans take shape across the region.
The development reflects shifting participation levels among major African Hajj sending countries, with Egypt consolidating its position through expanded flight operations and a coordinated national deployment strategy ahead of the pilgrimage.
On April 24, Egypt officially rolled out its 2026 Hajj flight plan, unveiling an extensive airlift arrangement designed to facilitate smooth transportation of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The plan includes a total of 277 outbound flights, comprising 127 flights to Madinah and 150 flights to Jeddah, in line with the country’s phased movement schedule.
According to the plan, the operation is expected to transport about 62,600 pilgrims through direct airlift arrangements, while the total number of Egyptian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj season is projected to reach about 67,000, reinforcing its position as the leading African contributor for this year’s pilgrimage.
Nigeria drops in ranking as utilisation falls below 50,000
Nigeria was initially allocated about 66,910 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise. However, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, later confirmed that the country will utilise about 50,000 slots.
The reduction, largely linked to prevailing economic conditions, has seen Nigeria fall behind Egypt in African ranking and drop from its earlier global positioning.
Muslim News gathered that apart from the post COVID 19 Hajj of 2022, when about 43,000 Nigerian pilgrims were airlifted under restricted arrangements, the 2026 exercise marks the first time since 2007 that Nigeria’s participation has fallen below 50,000 pilgrims.
How Nigeria utilised its 50,000 quota
Further findings show that out of the expected 50,000 pilgrims, about 40,000 slots have been allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, while 10,000 slots have been reserved for licensed private tour operators under the coordinated framework of NAHCON.
This year’s arrangement reflects a significant shift in policy, as NAHCON moved away from the traditional fixed state-by-state allocation model. Instead, the new system is based on early payment of Hajj fares, a first-come, first-served registration process, and each state’s performance in previous Hajj exercises.
The Chairman of the Forum of States, Idris Almakura, confirmed the development in December 2025, stating that the previous allocation system had been discontinued.
“Previous slots allocation to states no longer stands. It is now based on states that remit fares earlier and secure registrations,” he said.
As of Sunday, May 3, 2026, there is no officially published breakdown detailing how the allocations have been fully utilised by individual states or private operators. However, states have continued to release figures of registered pilgrims preparing for the pilgrimage.
In Kwara State, a total of 1,714 pilgrims have been confirmed for the 2026 Hajj, with airlift operations scheduled to begin on May 6 in three batches via Max Air.
Similarly, Borno State has finalised arrangements for 1,815 pilgrims, with the state government providing subsidised accommodation and logistics. Pilgrims have also received uniforms and travel materials ahead of departure.
In Jigawa State, approximately 1,000 pilgrims are expected to perform the Hajj, with the state government approving about N2.6 billion for preparations, including specialised feeding, medical screening, and uniform provision.
Over 690 pilgrims from Ogun State are scheduled to depart for the 2026 Hajj in what was initially planned as a historic inaugural airlift from the state’s newly commissioned international airport. However, the arrangement has now been altered, with the flagoff ceremony moved to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The departure will now take place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Sunday, May 3, where intending pilgrims from Kogi State, with an allocation of about 2,000 pilgrims, alongside officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, will commence their journey.
They will be joining thousands of pilgrims from other countries who have already arrived in Saudi Arabia through Madinah, Jeddah and land border points such as Jadidat Arar, signalling the gradual build-up to this year’s Hajj.
Early arrivals signal full Hajj activation
Pilgrims from Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Malaysia and India were among the first to arrive on Saturday, April 18 under the Makkah Route Initiative, which enables pre departure immigration clearance and facilitates seamless entry into the Kingdom.
India commenced its airlift with an initial batch of 400 pilgrims from Mumbai, followed by additional flights from other cities. Indonesia has recorded one of the largest early movements, with more than 68,000 pilgrims departing for Saudi Arabia by May 1 and over 61,000 already in Makkah.
Iran also began its operations on April 28 with an initial group of 260 pilgrims, while Pakistan, Türkiye and Bangladesh recorded early batches under the same streamlined system. All arrivals were received at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah as part of coordinated reception arrangements.
Somalia joined the early arrivals on May 1, with 432 pilgrims landing in Madinah as its first batch. The country is expected to send over 11,000 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj season.
With international arrivals steadily increasing and national airlift programmes gathering pace, the 2026 Hajj is gradually moving into full operational phase. Nigeria’s inaugural flight from Abuja therefore marks the beginning of its participation in a global convergence of millions of Muslims heading to the holy cities for one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.
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