The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a significant downward review of Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage, according to a statement by its Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Hajiya Fatima Usara, in Abuja on Monday.
Usara disclosed that the revised cost for pilgrims departing from the Northern zone is now N7,696,769.76, while those from the Southern zone will pay N7,992,943.83. The fare for the Maiduguri/Yola zone has been adjusted to N7,579,020.96 from the previous N8,118,033.67.
“The Northern zone now pays N7,696,769.76 (previously N8,244,813.67), Southern zone N7,991,141.76 (previously N8,561,013.67), and Maiduguri/Yola zone N7,579,020.96,” she said, noting that the revised fares were computed based on an exchange rate of N1,443 per dollar.
According to NAHCON, intending pilgrims will enjoy reductions of N539,013, N548,043.91, and N569,871.91 respectively for the three zones. Usara urged pilgrims to complete fare remittances by December 5 to ensure timely transfers to NAHCON’s IBAN account ahead of Saudi Arabia’s deadline of December 21 for basic service contract payments.
“Transfers into IBAN accounts take 10 to 12 weeks to be credited, which may be impossible to achieve without meeting the deadline,” Usara said.
In addition, she revealed that previous slot allocations to states no longer apply. Hajj slots will now be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning states that remit their fares earliest will secure their registered slots.
Alhaji Idris Almakura, Chairman of the Forum of States, called on members to complete assignments in Saudi Arabia promptly and return to Nigeria to mobilise for Hajj registration, citing the urgency of filling Nigeria’s quota for the 2026 pilgrimage.
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