By Suwaiba Ahmed
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima for their intervention in securing a reduction in the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, who spoke to journalists at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport after returning from Saudi Arabia, said the Nigerian government’s role was pivotal in negotiating with service providers to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
Professor Abdullahi led a high-powered delegation comprising NAHCON commissioners, board representatives, and state pilgrims’ welfare leaders on a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last week.
The mission focused on fine-tuning arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims, culminating in the signing of agreements with two major service providers: Mashariq Al Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir services and Daleel Al Maaleem for transportation.
In Madinah, the delegation also secured agreements with accommodation and catering providers to ensure pilgrims’ comfort during their stay. Professor Abdullahi stressed to all partners that Nigerian pilgrims must enjoy services of equal standard as those provided to pilgrims from other countries.
During a courtesy visit to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the NAHCON team briefed officials on Nigeria’s readiness for the 2026 exercise. In his response, the Director-General of Hajj Affairs, Abdallah Al-Shehri, lauded Nigeria’s preparations but underscored the need for strict adherence to deadlines and regulations, cautioning that there would be no waivers this year.
Following the mission, NAHCON released the officially approved Hajj fare for 2026 as follows:
₦8,118,333.67 for pilgrims from Maiduguri, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba States
₦8,244,813.67 for pilgrims from other Northern States
₦8,561,013.67 for pilgrims from the Southern States
The Commission has urged all intending pilgrims to make full payments on or before December 31st, 2025, in order to meet Saudi Arabia’s operational requirements and guarantee seamless preparations.