NAHCON Secures ₦19 BillionCost Cut for 2026 Hajj after Strategic Visit to Saudi Arabia

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Sale says , has secured a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman disclosed this to journalist in Kano while breifing them on outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia.

He said the reduction follows negotiations with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards. The agreement translates to a saving of over ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for 2026.

Professor Abdullahi Saleh said during the visit, NAHCON signed service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured improved accommodation and feeding in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.

The Chairman noted that official Hajj fares for 2026 are as follows:

Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million

Other northern states: ₦8.24 million

Southern states: ₦8.56 million

“State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards are required to remit 50 percent of the fare by October 8, 2025. Full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.

Professor Sale emphasized that the deadlines are essential for early bookings and efficient operations.

He reiterated the commissions committed in ensuring a hitch free 2026 Hajj Exercise,while calling on the media to accord all the needed support to the organization with a view to achieve the desires goals .