Saudi Arabia has cut Nigeria’s allocation for the 2026 Hajj to 66,910 slots — a sharp reduction from the 95,000 earlier approved — sparking concern from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) that thousands of intending pilgrims could be left out.
NAHCON disclosed this in a Thursday statement titled “NAHCON, States Discuss Hajj Costing and Other Critical Issues; Ministry Briefs NAHCON on Tour Operators,” signed by its Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara.
According to the commission, only 66,910 accommodation slots have been approved on Saudi Arabia’s NUSUK Masar portal, translating to 51,513 spaces for state pilgrims and officials, while 15,397 are reserved for licensed tour operators.
The commission blamed the drastic cut on Nigeria’s underutilisation of its quota during the 2025 Hajj. Out of 95,000 slots made available that year, only 59,128 were used — leaving 35,872 unfilled.
“Earlier allocations will be reversed based on each state’s utilisation during the 2025 Hajj,” warned NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, after a meeting with state pilgrims’ boards in Abuja.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman, appealed for unity among stakeholders to avoid a crisis in the buildup to the next pilgrimage. “Unity in this assignment is crucial if Hajj 2026 must succeed,” he said, urging officials to prioritise medical screening, which Saudi authorities now treat as a strict entry requirement.
The commission also confirmed that Saudi officials had directed that at least 2,000 slots be reserved for each registered group of tour operators on the NUSUK platform.
On costs, Professor Usman said NAHCON was negotiating with service providers to cut certain fees such as cargo handling, but cautioned against arbitrary reductions that could compromise quality.
A board member representing the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Adetona Adedeji, said discussions were ongoing to reduce the 2% charge on pilgrims’ foreign exchange transactions, while urging states to remit payments early to benefit from favourable exchange rates.
The commission reminded states of the December 21 remittance deadline and announced plans for a nationwide sensitisation campaign to ensure compliance.
It also confirmed that the 2026 Hajj will follow international aviation standards, allowing each pilgrim two 23kg checked-in bags and one hand luggage.
NAHCON reiterated Saudi Arabia’s medical restrictions, warning that individuals with chronic or contagious illnesses — including organ failure, tuberculosis, dementia, active cancer, and pregnancy — will not be allowed into the Kingdom.
