THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a tentative fare of ₦8.5 million for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, subject to final negotiations on service contracts with relevant stakeholders in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that the announcement was made during a post-Hajj meeting between the Commission and Chairmen and Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, aimed at reviewing the just-concluded 2025 Hajj operations and preparing for next year’s pilgrimage.
In a statement issued by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, the Commission disclosed that the fare was proposed to guide early preparations and allow intending pilgrims and state boards to plan ahead.
According to Usara, while ₦8.5 million has been set as the working figure, the final fare will depend on the outcome of upcoming negotiations on accommodation, feeding, transportation, and other critical services to be provided in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“The amount is tentative and pending upon final negotiations on all service contracts,” she said.
NAHCON also confirmed that Nigeria will retain its 95,000 Hajj slot allocation from the Saudi authorities for the 2026 pilgrimage season. Similarly, the distribution of these slots among the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Armed Forces remains unchanged from 2025.
The NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, used the opportunity to express deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as unwavering support for the Commission and Nigerian pilgrims.
He specifically acknowledged the Federal Government’s intervention in allowing Hajj payments to be made in Naira, a policy that helped shield pilgrims from the instability of the foreign exchange market during the 2025 Hajj.
At the post-Hajj meeting, key discussions were held around planning timelines, airline contracts, and logistical coordination for the upcoming exercise.
The Commissioner in charge of Planning, Research and Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Prof. Abubakar Abubakar Yagawal, presented the 2026 Hajj calendar, which outlines the pre-departure, travel, and return dates, alongside deadlines for state board submissions and pilgrim registrations.
The proposal was met with interest by several board officials, who agreed that early action on contracts could reduce the risk of last-minute delays, operational mishaps, and inflated service costs.
The 2025 Hajj faced a number of logistical and administrative challenges, many of which were discussed during the post-Hajj meeting.
NAHCON pledged to implement lessons learned, improve coordination with state boards, and increase digital monitoring of pilgrim welfare and service delivery.
The Commission urged all stakeholders to begin preparations early, ensuring that the 2026 pilgrimage is more seamless and affordable.
