The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares following extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders and the necessary approval from appropriate authorities.
In a statement signed and released by the Commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara, the revised fares reflect a significant reduction across all zones of the country.
According to the statement, intending pilgrims from the Maiduguri/Yola Zone will now pay ₦7,579,020.96, down from ₦8,118,033.67, representing a reduction of ₦539,013.
The Northern Zone will pay ₦7,696,769.76 instead of ₦8,244,813.67, a decrease of ₦548,043.91, while the Southern Zone fare has been reviewed from ₦8,561,013.67 to ₦7,991,141.76, reduction of ₦569,871.91.
NAHCON explained that the new fares were computed based on an exchange rate of ₦1,443 per U.S. Dollar, adding that the adjustments were made in response to improved economic indices and efforts to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
However, the Commission cautioned that time is of the essence. Intending pilgrims are advised to complete all Hajj fare remittances by December 5, 2025, to ensure timely transfers into NAHCON’s IBAN account before the Saudi Arabian authorities’ final deadline of December 21, 2025 for payment of basic service contracts.
The statement noted that international transfers into IBAN accounts typically take between 10 days and two weeks to process, making early payments crucial to avoid missing the Saudi deadline, as extensions will not be granted.
At a meeting held on November 10, 2025, NAHCON also announced a new slot allocation policy for state pilgrim boards. Under the new system, previous slot allocations have been nullified, and states that remit their Hajj fares earlier will secure slots for their registered pilgrims on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Chairman of the Forum of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Alhaji Idris Almakura, urged his colleagues to hasten the completion of their ongoing assignments in Saudi Arabia and return to Nigeria immediately to mobilize intending pilgrims for registration and payment, stressing the urgency of the time-bound process.
NAHCON reiterated its commitment to ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated 2026 Hajj operation, assuring that all measures are being put in place to guarantee efficiency, transparency, and timely compliance with Saudi Arabia’s requirements.
