The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has fixed a provisional fare of ₦8.5 million for the 2026 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, maintaining the same slot allocation given to states in the previous year.
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 7, 2025, during a post-Hajj strategic meeting held at the Hajj House headquarters in Abuja.
The session, chaired by NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, brought together chairmen and secretaries of state pilgrims’ welfare boards to review the 2025 exercise and begin preparations for 2026.
“After due deliberations, we have collectively agreed on a tentative deposit of ₦8.5 million as the provisional fare for the 2026 Hajj, pending final negotiations on service contracts,” Prof. Usman stated in a release signed by the Commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara.
He also confirmed that Nigeria retained its 95,000-slot allocation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Similarly, the allocation of slots to state boards remains unchanged from last year,” the statement added.
Prof. Usman expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his “unwavering support” during the 2025 pilgrimage, particularly for allowing pilgrims to make carrier payments in Naira to protect them from exchange rate volatility.
He further commended the Federal Government’s directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria to reverse its credit-card-only policy for Basic Travel Allowance, saying the move “ensured no pilgrim was excluded due to unfamiliarity with digital payment systems.”
The Chairman encouraged participants to give “frank and constructive” feedback on what worked, the challenges faced, and areas needing improvement.
Discussions also touched on the 2026 Hajj calendar and operational logistics. Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, suggested retaining the four airlines that handled the 2025 airlift due to the tight Saudi scheduling, which he said would “allow Nigeria to secure flight slots early.”
The Forum of States Executive Secretaries pledged support for NAHCON’s plans, with its Chairman, Alhaji Idris Almakura of Nasarawa State, urging improved communication between the Commission and state boards.
“We need stronger collaboration and timely clarifications to ensure a smooth transition into the 2026 Hajj,” he said.
The meeting ended with a commitment from state representatives to address unresolved issues from 2025 and provide further feedback. Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Mustapha Ali, described the session as “fruitful” and a solid starting point for the next pilgrimage cycle.
