President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately reduce the 2026 Hajj fare to reflect the recent appreciation of the naira against the United States dollar, a key factor in determining pilgrimage costs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed the President’s directive yesterday at a meeting with NAHCON management and board members at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, gave the commission two days to submit a new and more affordable fare structure.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima explained that the move was to ensure Nigerian pilgrims benefit from the positive effects of the government’s ongoing economic reforms, especially the strengthened value of the naira.
He urged NAHCON, state governments, and relevant agencies to work together to harmonise the revised fare and ensure smooth coordination of the 2026 pilgrimage.
“The directive is a reflection of this administration’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity. As the naira continues to appreciate, the government wants the benefits passed on directly to the people, including intending pilgrims,” Shettima stated.
He also emphasised the importance of prompt payments and remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure a seamless Hajj operation next year.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the discussions focused on finalising preparations for the 2026 Hajj and reviewing the cost structure in light of Nigeria’s improved exchange rate.
“Rates have continued to improve steadily with the appreciation of the naira, based on the effects of government reforms. If pilgrims paid between N8.5 million and N8.6 million last year due to a weaker exchange rate, the improvement in the economy should now reflect in the new fares. The Vice President made it clear that the benefits of the stronger naira must be passed on to the pilgrims,” Hadeija said.
NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, described the President’s directive as a welcome development that would make the sacred journey more affordable for Nigerian Muslims.
“It is a welcome development. 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 cost to the barest minimum and make it affordable for every Muslim,” he assured.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, praised President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their intervention.
“We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have done, which will bring down the cost of Hajj fare. We are delighted,” Yaro said.
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