President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately review downward the 2026 Hajj fare, in line with the continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar.
Vice President Kashim Shettima issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with the management and board of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He gave the Commission two days to produce a new, reduced fare structure for the 2026 Hajj, noting that the strengthening of the naira should directly impact the cost of the pilgrimage.
“With the current economic reforms resulting in a stronger naira, there is no justification for retaining the previous fare levels,” Shettima said.
The Vice President also called for collaboration between federal and state stakeholders, including governors, to ensure effective coordination and adoption of the new rates.
He urged all parties involved in Hajj operations to act swiftly to enable timely payments and remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in order to guarantee a smooth and successful exercise.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, said the meeting was convened to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj, with particular emphasis on fare adjustments.
He said pilgrims who paid between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million in the previous year were affected by an adverse exchange rate, which had now significantly improved.
“Given the strengthening of the naira, the President and Vice President believe this improvement should reflect in lower Hajj fares for Nigerian pilgrims,” Hadeija said.
“They have directed NAHCON to use a more realistic exchange rate in computing the new fare to ensure significant cost reduction.”
On his part, NAHCON Secretary, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the development, describing it as timely and beneficial for intending pilgrims.
“The directive will help increase participation in the 2026 Hajj. The lower the fare, the more opportunities for Muslim faithful to fulfill this pillar of Islam,” he said.
Similarly, 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, expressed appreciation for the intervention.
“We are very happy. This move by the President and Vice President is commendable and will bring relief to pilgrims across the country,” he said.
