NAHCON Debunks Claim Nigeria Rejected 20,000 Hajj Slots

Claims that Nigeria rejected 20,000 additional Hajj slots have been definitively dismissed as inaccurate and misleading by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The significant reduction in Nigeria’s Hajj contingent, from approximately 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims, is not a result of any discretionary decision by NAHCON but a direct consequence of new policy changes implemented by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

In December 2025, Saudi authorities introduced a global reduction in Hajj quotas. This sweeping measure aims to manage overcrowding and enhance safety conditions for pilgrims from around the world. Nigeria, like many other nations, has been directly impacted by this new directive.

Contrary to widespread assertions of rejection, NAHCON revealed that it made several formal appeals to the Saudi authorities for an increase in Nigeria’s allocation. However, all such requests were declined, effectively putting to rest any notion that Nigeria willingly turned down additional slots.

Sani Shafi’i, NAHCON’s principal information officer, refuted the circulating narrative, stating it was “entirely false and a misrepresentation of facts.” He emphasised, “At no point did Nigeria reject any Hajj slots. On the contrary, we formally requested for additional allocation, but the Saudi authorities declined. The reduction is a global policy decision, not a local administrative action.”

“Following the confirmed quota, Nigeria’s 50,000 slots were distributed through an established national framework: 40,250 slots were allocated to State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, with the remaining 9,750 slots reserved for licensed private tour operators,” he said.

Meanwhile, NAHCON reiterated it’s commitment to efficiently managing all allocated slots in line with Saudi guidelines and in the best interest of Nigerian pilgrims.

Industry stakeholders have noted that the quota reduction is also linked to stricter health and safety requirements introduced by Saudi Arabia. These include mandatory medical fitness certification, compulsory vaccinations, and the exclusion of individuals with severe underlying health conditions.

Enhanced screening measures at entry points have also been put in place to safeguard pilgrims’ well-being.