The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced a provisional fare of ₦8.5 million for the 2026 Hajj exercise, as part of early preparations for the pilgrimage.
The tentative figure was disclosed at a strategic post-Hajj meeting held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Hajj House Headquarters in Abuja.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, made the announcement during the meeting with Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, aimed at reviewing the 2025 Hajj operations and initiating planning for the upcoming year.
“The NAHCON Chairman after deliberations announced a tentative deposit of ₦8.5 million as the provisional fare for the 2026 Hajj as agreed collectively, pending final negotiations on all service contracts,” the Commission stated in a press release signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication for the NAHCON Chairman/CEO.
In a key development, Prof. Usman also disclosed that Nigeria had retained its “95,000-slot allocation” from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
“Similarly, allocation of slots to state welfare boards remains as it was last year,” the Commission added—effectively maintaining the distribution formula used during the 2025 pilgrimage.
In his opening remarks, NAHCON boss expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support to Nigerian pilgrims and the Commission throughout the 2025 Hajj exercise.
He highlighted the President’s intervention that allowed pilgrims to make payments to Hajj carriers in Naira—an action that shielded many from foreign exchange volatility.
He also commended the Federal Government for its directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to “suspend its earlier policy mandating credit card-only payments for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA),” describing the policy shift as vital in preventing the exclusion of pilgrims unfamiliar with digital payment systems.
The Chairman encouraged participants at the retreat to provide honest and constructive assessments of the 2025 Hajj.
“He encouraged participants to offer frank, constructive evaluations of the 2025 exercise, focusing on what worked, the challenges encountered, and areas for improvement,” the statement read.
Discussions at the meeting were led by key commissioners. Prof. Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), coordinated conversations around the 2026 Hajj calendar, while Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, led discussions on logistics.
Elegushi also broached the possibility of rolling over contracts with the four airlines that operated during the 2025 Hajj, citing the tight timelines of the Saudi calendar.
“This, he said, will give room for Nigeria to book airlift slots early,” the release stated.
In a show of solidarity, the Forum of States Executive Secretaries expressed their support for NAHCON’s planning process. Alhaji Idris Almakura, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board and Chairman of the Forum, commended the Commission and urged stronger collaboration.
“He urged the Commission to strengthen collaboration with state boards through improved communication and timely clarifications,” the release noted.
He also called for the resolution of pending matters from the 2025 Hajj to allow for a smooth transition into 2026.
Deputy Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Aliyu Faruku Yaro (ES, Kebbi State), and Secretary Malam Abubakar Salihu (ES, Adamawa State), were also present, alongside all other executive members.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from state representatives to consult further and provide feedback on lingering issues.
The Secretary to the Commission, Dr Mustapha Ali, expressed gratitude to all attendees, describing the session as a “fruitful” deliberation that marked the beginning of the 2026 Hajj journey.
Credit: punchng.com
