President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares to reflect the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, a major factor in determining the cost of the annual pilgrimage.
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 submit a new, more affordable fare structure.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima stressed the need for synergy among federal and state officials, including governors and Hajj boards, to ensure the swift implementation of the revised fares.
The Vice President also urged all stakeholders to expedite payments and remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to guarantee a seamless and well-coordinated Hajj operation.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, explained that the review aimed to make the pilgrimage more affordable in light of the government’s ongoing economic reforms.
He said: “If pilgrims paid between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million last year when the exchange rate was unfavourable, and the naira has now appreciated, then the benefits of that improvement must reflect in the new Hajj fares. We are confident that this review will lead to a significant reduction.”
The Secretary of NAHCON, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, hailed the directive as a “welcome development”, noting that it would enable more Muslims to fulfil one of the key pillars of Islam.
“We will work round the clock to ensure that the fares are reduced to the barest minimum and made affordable for all intending pilgrims,” he assured.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Pilgrims’ Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, applauded the President’s intervention, describing it as timely and compassionate.
“We are very happy with this move. It will ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims and increase participation in this year’s Hajj,” Yaro said.
The new Hajj fare structure is expected to be announced before the end of the week.
