Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to immediately review the 2026 Hajj fares, Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to develop new fares for the exercise within two days.
In its penultimate week, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the official fare for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. Initiated pilgrims from the North are expected to pay N8.2 million, while Southern pilgrims are to pay N8.5 million.
But the Vice President Shettima, during a meeting with management and board members of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, yesterday, called for a reduction of the fare, saying it had become necessary considering the continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar, a primary determinant for the pilgrimage fares.
He urged synergy among national and state officials, including state Governors, in streamlining and adopting a new set of rules for the exercise.
According to a statement issued by the senior special assistant to the President on media and communications (Office of the Vice President), Mr Stanely Nkwocha, the Vice President demands prompt action by all stakeholders to ensure quick payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate a hitch-free exercise.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting with the VP, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, said the meeting convened at the Vice President’s instance was to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly the determination of fares for the 2026 exercise.
He explained that the goal is to reduce the amount pilgrims pay for the exercise, given the current economic trend occasioned by the Tinubu administration’s ongoing reforms.
He said, “Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the government’s economic reforms. The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on the negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has improved, the changes should reflect in the current fares. The benefits should also be passed on to prospective pilgrims.
“So, the commissions and all officers of the Hajj commission are here and have been told to look at more realistic exchange rates immediately. If we achieve what we envisage, then we will have a very significant reduction in the Hajj.”
For his part, Secretary of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Dr Mustapha Mohammad, said the President’s directive would increase the number of intending pilgrims for this year’s exercise.
“It is a welcome development, and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. So, as directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to the barest minimum and affordable rate for every Muslim faithful to have the opportunity to perform this fundamental pillar of Islam.”
Also, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, the Deputy Chairman of the Forum of the Chief Executive Officers of 36, and the FCT Chairmen of the Pilgrims Board, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed delight with the presidential directive.
“We are delighted because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have said, which is expected to bring down the cost of the Hajj fare. So, we are happy,” he said.
