President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately review and reduce the recently announced 2026 Hajj fares. The directive followed a strategic meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This was disclosed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija.
According to Hadeija, the meeting was convened at the instance of Vice President Kashim Shettima to explore realistic options for lowering the Hajj costs. NAHCON had earlier fixed the 2026 fares after consulting stakeholders. Announcing N8,318,336.67 for the Maiduguri-Yola Zone (covering Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba). N8,244,813.67 for Northern States, and N8,561,013.67 for Southern States.
However, President Tinubu emphasized the need to make the pilgrimage more affordable, given the recent improvement in the naira’s exchange rate. Hadeija explained that the initial fares were calculated using a pessimistic exchange rate of N1,550 per dollar. With the naira appreciating due to ongoing economic reforms. He noted that the benefits should be passed on to intending pilgrims.
He revealed that the Hajj fare could be reduced to between N7.6 million and N7.7 million. Dending on timely remittance of payments from state pilgrims’ welfare boards to NAHCON. Prompt payment, he said, would enable quicker access to foreign exchange through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruk Yaro, and NAHCON Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad. Expressed gratitude for the federal government’s intervention. They described the move as a welcome relief that would allow more Muslims to fulfill the sacred obligation of Hajj at a more affordable rate.
