Tinubu orders review, reduction of 2026 Hajj fare

…gives NAHCON two days to implement directive

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has directed an immediate downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares, citing the sustained appreciation of the naira against the US dollar, which serves as the key determinant of pilgrimage costs.

Delivering the President’s directive on Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima ordered the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to submit a new and reduced fare structure within two days.

The Vice President issued the instruction during a meeting with the management and board of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasizing the need for collaboration among federal and state officials, including state governors, to ensure a harmonized and affordable fare structure for prospective pilgrims.

Shettima urged all stakeholders to act swiftly, particularly in ensuring prompt payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to guarantee a smooth and efficient Hajj operation in 2026.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the decision aligns with the administration’s economic reforms, which have strengthened the naira.

“If pilgrims paid between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million last year based on a weaker exchange rate, and the naira has now appreciated, then that improvement should reflect in the new fares,” Hadeija explained. “The President and Vice President want the benefits of economic stability passed directly to pilgrims.”

He described the move as part of the government’s efforts to make the Hajj more affordable and to encourage greater participation by Nigerian Muslims.

In his remarks, the Secretary of NAHCON, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, commended the President’s decision, saying it would increase the number of intending pilgrims in 2026.

“It is a welcome development. The lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform the pilgrimage,” he said, pledging that the Commission would “work tirelessly within the next two days to ensure a fair and affordable rate.”