Saudi Arabia has turned down Nigeria’s request for an increase in its 2027 Hajj quota, leaving the country with an approved allocation of 50,000 pilgrims for next year’s pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying it had approached Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for additional slots to accommodate the growing number of Nigerians seeking to perform the pilgrimage.
The commission said the request was also made in response to appeals from various state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
However, Saudi authorities reportedly declined the request, citing limited capacity, structural constraints at the holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of retaining approved country quotas under the current operational framework.
“Saudi authorities communicated their inability to grant additional slots, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints within the holy sites, and the Kingdom’s policy of strict adherence to approved country quotas under the current operational framework,” NAHCON added.
Commenting on the development, the NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Amb Ismail Yusuf, said the commission understood the disappointment the decision could cause among intending pilgrims and state pilgrims’ welfare boards that had anticipated additional slots.
He said NAHCON had explored all available diplomatic and operational avenues to secure an increased quota but respected the final decision of the Saudi authorities.
“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots.
“While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations,” Amb Yusuf stated.
The NAHCON chairman urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to make judicious and transparent use of their approved allocations while ensuring strict compliance with all timelines established by the commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.
He emphasised that the deadline for uploading the data of all prospective pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise remains September 26, 2026, warning that no extensions would be granted under any circumstance.
“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026. We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted.
“Individuals who were unable to secure a slot for the upcoming Hajj are encouraged to register for the 2028 Hajj. The commission has officially opened the registration portal for this period, and applications are now being accepted,” he said.
The NAHCON chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to transparency, fairness and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, assuring stakeholders that preparations for the 2027 Hajj are progressing as planned.
He added that updates on the operational guidelines and rollout of the new business-to-business framework for the 2027 pilgrimage would be released through NAHCON’s official communication channels.
The commission also urged stakeholders to cooperate and understand the situation, noting that compliance with the quota approved by Saudi Arabia is a global requirement for all participating countries and is crucial to the successful conduct of the pilgrimage.
Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj quota therefore remains unchanged at 50,000 pilgrims, comprising 35,000 slots allocated to government pilgrims and 15,000 reserved for licensed tour operators.
In line with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s requirements, NAHCON has set September 26, 2026, as the final deadline for uploading the biometric details of all intending pilgrims on the designated Nusuk-Masar platform.
States are also required to complete payment of all 2027 Hajj fares by December 2, 2026.