The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commended President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for directing the decrease in the price of the 2026 Hajj operation, referring to the move as a display of a responsive and people-centric government.
Vice President Shettima, by the President’s directive, made the order last Monday when he met with the NAHCON board and management, requesting that the commission reconsider Hajj fares within two days.
LEADERSHIP reports that NAHCON had already announced official fares for the Hajj 2026 pilgrimage, setting the fare at N8.2 million for the North’s pilgrims and N8.5 million for pilgrims from the South.
In a signed statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information and Publications, Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON stated that the directive demonstrates the government’s concern about the economic situation of many Muslims willing to undertake the holy pilgrimage.
“It also manifests a sincere appreciation of the financial constraint facing intending pilgrims,” the statement added.
The commission also praised the government for its recommendation to intending pilgrims and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to take advantage of the recent appreciation of the Naira by making advance remittance. The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Hadeja, said that timely payment would allow Nigeria to gain from the better currency when settling Hajj services.
NAHCON characterised the directive as part of President Tinubu’s general initiative to render Hajj accessible, open, and well-managed.
The commission vowed to work very closely with all the stakeholders towards ensuring complete implementation of the directive and provide a seamless and fulfilling experience during 2026 Hajj to Nigerian pilgrims.
It also invited pilgrims to remit early so that the new fares would be publicized shortly in a manner that would permit early remittances to be paid via the Central Bank of Nigeria at good exchange rates.
