President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares in line with the recent appreciation of the naira against the dollar.
Following the President’s directive, Vice President Kashim Shettima has given the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) a two-day ultimatum to submit new, more affordable fare options for Nigerian pilgrims.
The Vice President issued the directive during a meeting with NAHCON management and board members at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. He emphasised the need for cooperation among federal and state Hajj officials, including state governors, to ensure a coordinated and transparent process.
Shettima also urged all stakeholders to expedite payments and remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to guarantee smooth preparations for next year’s pilgrimage.
Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the session was convened to finalise arrangements for the 2026 Hajj, particularly to reassess the cost implications for intending pilgrims.
According to him, the review is aimed at making the pilgrimage more affordable for Nigerian Muslims in light of the country’s improving economic indicators.
“With the naira gaining strength due to ongoing reforms, the Vice President believes that the current exchange rate should reflect in the new Hajj fares,” Hadeija explained. “If pilgrims paid between N8.5 million and N8.6 million last year when the exchange rate was unfavourable, it is only fair that the new rate should translate into a significant reduction in the 2026 Hajj fare.”
He added that NAHCON and relevant officers have been instructed to work out new rates based on more realistic exchange values.
“If our expectations are met, we should see a major drop in the cost of the Hajj,” he said.
In his reaction, the Secretary of NAHCON, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, commended the President and Vice President for the intervention, noting that the review would allow more Muslim faithful to participate in next year’s pilgrimage.
“This is a welcome development. The lower the fare, the better for our intending pilgrims,” he said. “As directed by the Vice President, we will work round the clock to ensure that the new fare is reduced to the barest minimum and made affordable for all.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of State Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, lauded the presidential directive, describing it as a relief to many intending pilgrims.
“We are very happy with this development,” Yaro said. “The intervention of the President and Vice President will definitely bring down the cost of Hajj, and we are grateful for their concern for the Muslim community.”
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