The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a major reduction in the cost of the 2026 Hajj, providing significant financial relief to prospective pilgrims nationwide.
In an updated fare structure released on Monday, the commission revealed that pilgrims from the Southern Zone will benefit the most, with a decrease of ₦792,943.83, lowering the fare from ₦8,784,085.59 to ₦7,991,141.76.
Those departing from the Northern Zone will also see a notable reduction of ₦760,915.83, bringing the new fare to ₦7,696,769.76.
For intending pilgrims from the Borno–Adamawa axis — traditionally the least expensive route — the fare has been adjusted to ₦7,579,020.96 after a reduction of ₦748,104.63.
NAHCON explained that the downward revision aims to ease the financial burden on pilgrims and encourage wider participation in the 2026 pilgrimage. The commission also set December 5, 2025, as the new deadline for full payment to allow sufficient time for visa processing, flight arrangements, and other logistical preparations.
In mid October, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reduced the 95,000 slot given to Nigeria to 66,910, with effect from 2026. Nigeria had maintained the previous slot for three years.
According to NAHCON, the slash was due to the inability of Nigeria to utilise the previous slot during the 2024 and 2025 hajj.
The statement signed by NAHCON’s Deputy Director Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, said this means earlier seat allocation to states will change and be based on the number of pilgrims they ferried for the 2025 hajj.
She stated that the information was disclosed following a meeting between NAHCON and states to discuss Hajj Costing and Other Critical Issues.
Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said earlier allocations would be reversed based on each state’s utilisation during the 2025 Hajj as well.
NAHCON convened a high-stakes consultative meeting with state executives in Abuja to address preparations for the 2026 Hajj and the mandated reduction of the pilgrimage fare, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his opening address, the Chairman/CEO, Alhaji Abdullahi Saleh Usman, stressed the imperative of unity between the states and NAHCON in managing the 2026 operations.
He assured state officials of the commission’s full support and cooperation.
Elegushi disclosed that the commission’s management had been summoned to the Vice President’s office and explicitly instructed to review and reduce the 2026 Hajj fare.
“Therefore, NAHCON saw the importance of also summoning the states to do it together for the betterment of the Nigerian pilgrims,” Elegushi stated.