President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to cut down the 2026 Hajj fares, citing the recent gains of the naira and the need to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, briefed journalists after a meeting between NAHCON officials and the Presidency on Monday.
NAHCON had earlier fixed fares at N8.3 million for Maiduguri-Yola Zone (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba), N8.24 million for other Northern states, and N8.56 million for Southern states. The fares were computed at an exchange rate of N1,550 per dollar.
Hadeija said Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima insisted that with the naira now strengthening due to economic reforms, the rates should reflect the improvement.
“Last year, pilgrims paid between N8.5 million and N8.6 million based on a weaker exchange rate. Now that the rate has improved, we must pass the benefit to them. We project a new fare of about N7.6–N7.7 million,” he explained.
He added that quick remittances by state pilgrims’ welfare boards would enable NAHCON secure dollars early through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, said the intervention would allow more Muslims to fulfil the important religious obligation, while Kebbi Pilgrims’ Board Chairman, Alhaji Faruk Yaro, commended the Presidency for the timely relief.
The revised fares are expected to be officially announced within 48 hours.
