Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate reduction of the 2026 Hajj fare, in a move aimed at easing the financial burden on Nigerian Muslim pilgrims preparing for next year’s holy journey to Saudi Arabia. The directive, which reflects the administration’s commitment to fairness and economic sensitivity, follows the continued appreciation of the naira against the U.S. dollar — the major factor influencing the cost of Hajj operations.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), on Monday, October 6, 2025.
According to the statement, Vice President Kashim Shettima conveyed the President’s instruction during a meeting with the management and board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Vice President directed the commission to present new and more affordable fare options within two days, reflecting the positive shift in the nation’s foreign exchange position.
Shettima stressed that the decision was consistent with the administration’s economic reform agenda and its determination to ensure that policy gains translate into direct relief for citizens. He urged NAHCON and state officials to work closely with governors and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to streamline payment processes and guarantee a hitch-free Hajj operation in 2026.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, explained that the fare review was necessary given the improvement in the exchange rate, which should now benefit intending pilgrims. He noted that last year’s Hajj fares, which ranged between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million, were determined under unfavorable exchange conditions that have since improved.
“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 rate has now improved, then the new fares should reflect this change and provide relief to the people,” Hadeija said.
In his reaction, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, Secretary of NAHCON, welcomed the directive and assured that the commission would work “tirelessly between today and tomorrow” to achieve the desired reduction. He described the move as a blessing for Muslim faithful, adding that lower fares would enable more Nigerians to fulfill the sacred obligation of Hajj.
Also speaking, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of Pilgrims Boards across the 36 states and the FCT, expressed gratitude to the President and Vice President for their swift and compassionate intervention. He said the decision demonstrates the government’s awareness of citizens’ religious and economic realities.
The review of the 2026 Hajj fares is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader strategy to ensure that the benefits of economic reforms reach ordinary Nigerians, especially amid improving fiscal indicators and currency stabilization. It also underscores the government’s continued support for faith-based obligations as part of its inclusive governance approach.
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