The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a downward revision of the 2026 Hajj fares for intending pilgrims, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the sacred journey more affordable.
The decision comes barely a month after the President, through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, ordered the Commission to review the initial cost structure earlier released for the 2026 pilgrimage.
The review, officials said, reflected government’s commitment to easing the financial pressure on prospective pilgrims amid current economic realities.
In a statement released on Monday via its official X (formerly Twitter) page, NAHCON outlined the revised rates for the various zones across the country.
Under the new arrangement, intending pilgrims from the Borno and Adamawa zones would now pay N7,579,020.96, down from the N8,327,125.59 charged for the 2025 exercise, a reduction of N748,104.63.
Those from the Northern Zone would pay N7,696,769.76, compared to last year’s N8,457,685.59, representing a N760,915.83 reduction. For the Southern Zone, the fare has been cut from N8,784,085.59 in 2025 to N7,991,141.76, a drop of N792,943.83.
NAHCON said the new rates were determined after consultations with relevant stakeholders, including state pilgrims welfare boards, air carriers, and Saudi authorities.
According to the Commission, the downward review aims to make the holy pilgrimage more inclusive and accessible for Muslims across Nigeria.
It added that the fare adjustments were possible due to early planning, exchange rate stabilization, and stronger coordination with service providers in Saudi Arabia.
“The review was undertaken to ensure that more Nigerians can fulfill their spiritual obligations without facing excessive financial hardship.
“We remain committed to transparency and efficiency in managing the Hajj process, ” the statement read.
NAHCON also announced December 5, 2025, as the final deadline for all intending pilgrims to complete their payments.
The Commission urged applicants to make full payments before the date to allow smooth visa processing, accommodation arrangements, and flight scheduling ahead of the 2026 exercise.
“Intending pilgrims are advised to conclude all payments on or before the stipulated date to avoid disqualification.
“All transactions and updates can be verified through the official website — www.nahcon.gov.ng,” the commission said.
In September, the Commission had released the original fare structure for the 2026 Hajj, which sparked public outcry among intending pilgrims who complained that the cost was prohibitive.
Religious leaders and civil society groups later appealed to the federal government to intervene, citing the importance of Hajj as one of the five pillars of Islam.
President Tinubu’s intervention in October, observers say, was part of broader efforts to promote social inclusion and demonstrate sensitivity to the economic conditions of citizens.
The Commission reassured Nigerians that it would continue to engage stakeholders to improve service quality, especially in transportation, accommodation, and feeding arrangements in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON also pledged to maintain strict accountability in the management of Hajj funds and to ensure that all operations align with international best practices.
