The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a significant reduction in the cost of the 2026 Hajj fare, bringing it down to ₦7.6 million for Nigerian pilgrims. This move, directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and executed under the supervision of Vice President Kashim Shettima, aims to make the sacred pilgrimage more affordable and accessible to thousands of intending Muslims across the country.
Following President Tinubu’s directive, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) was tasked with immediately revising the Hajj fare to reflect the growing strength of the Nigerian Naira against the US dollar—a crucial factor in determining the cost of the pilgrimage. Vice President Shettima announced that the downward review came as a result of the consistent appreciation of the Naira attributed to the ongoing economic reforms of the Tinubu administration.
Speaking after a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President emphasized the importance of adapting the fares to current exchange rates. “If pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on negative exchange rates last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then those changes should be reflected in the current fares, passing the benefits directly to the prospective pilgrims,” Shettima said.
He further urged rapid remittance of funds by state Muslim pilgrim welfare boards to the Central Bank of Nigeria to facilitate timely purchase of foreign currency for Hajj services and ensure a smooth exercise.
NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the development, noting that the fare reduction would increase the number of intending pilgrims. “It is a welcome development, and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj,” he stated, adding that the commission would work tirelessly to uphold the directive and finalize the new fares promptly.
The revised fare reflects a reduction of approximately ₦792,943.83 from the initially announced 2025 Hajj fare. This cut is anticipated to alleviate the financial strain on Muslim pilgrims, enabling broader participation in one of Islam’s five pillars. The Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed gratitude for the government’s intervention, describing it as a positive step toward making Hajj more affordable.
NAHCON has also urged prospective pilgrims to hasten their payments ahead of the new deadline to safeguard their slots and enable the commission to leverage the favorable exchange rate for the pilgrimage services. This timely payment is crucial to ensuring a hassle-free 2026 Hajj season for all Nigerian pilgrims.
This reduction is viewed as part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to support religious obligations while ensuring transparency and fairness in public affairs. It reflects an empathetic response to the economic realities facing many Nigerians who aspire to fulfill their religious duties.
