President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares, following the continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar, a key factor in determining pilgrimage costs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed the 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 48 hours to produce new, realistic fares.
Shettima urged national and state Hajj officials, including governors, to work in synergy to adopt the revised fare structure and ensure prompt remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a smooth operation.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the session focused on finalising preparations for the 2026 Hajj, particularly on reducing costs for intending pilgrims.
According to him, the administration’s economic reforms have strengthened the naira, and the benefits should reflect in the amount paid by pilgrims.
“Rates have continued to improve steadily with the naira appreciating,” he said. “If pilgrims paid between N8.5 million and N8.6 million last year due to poor exchange rates, the improved rates should translate into lower fares.
“NAHCON has been directed to immediately adopt more realistic exchange rates, which should result in a significant reduction in Hajj fares.”
NAHCON Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the directive, describing it as a boost to the commission’s preparations.
“It is a welcome development. The lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform the pilgrimage,” he said.
“As directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to reduce the fares to the barest minimum and make them affordable.”
Also speaking, 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, lauded the intervention by the President and Vice President.
“We are very happy because their intervention is expected to bring down the cost of the Hajj fare. This is a huge relief for intending pilgrims,” he said.
