President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate review and reduction of the 2026 Hajj fares in light of the continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar, one of the key determinants of pilgrimage costs.
The Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed the President’s directive on Monday during a meeting with the management and board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, gave the commission two days to come up with new, more affordable rates.
According to the him, the review became necessary to ensure that the benefits of the government’s ongoing economic reforms reflect in all sectors, including religious pilgrimages.
He also called for synergy between federal and state officials, including state governors, to streamline and adopt the new fares for the exercise.
Shettima further urged all stakeholders to act swiftly to ensure early payments and prompt remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), emphasizing that such measures were vital for a smooth and successful Hajj operation.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the meeting was convened to finalize preparations for the 2026 Hajj and to review the fares in line with current economic realities.
He said, “Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government. The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on a negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should also be passed to the prospective pilgrims.
“So, the commission and all officers of the Hajj Commission have been told to immediately look at more realistic exchange rates. If we achieve what we envisage, then we will have a very significant reduction in the Hajj fare.”
In his remarks, the Secretary of NAHCON, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, said the President’s directive would encourage more Muslims to participate in next year’s pilgrimage.
He said, “It is a welcome development, and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. As directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to reduce the fare to the barest minimum and ensure it is affordable for every Muslim faithful to have the opportunity to perform this very important pillar of Islam.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman, Forum of Chief Executives of the 36 States and the FCT Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, commended the intervention of the President and Vice President.
He said, “We are very happy 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 Hajj fare. So, we are happy.”
