Tinubu Orders Immediate Reduction of 2026 Hajj Fares

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately reduce the recently announced costs for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage. 

The directive was issued following a meeting at the Presidential Villa with NAHCON officials, according to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija.

Senator Hadeija disclosed that the meeting, convened at the instance of the Vice-President, was held to explore the possibility of reducing the Hajj fare.

The initial fares announced by NAHCON—which ranged from approximately N8.24 million to N8.56 million depending on the departure zone—were based on a “pessimistic” exchange rate of N1,550 to the dollar.

Hadeija explained that because the Hajj fare component is about 95 to 96 percent foreign exchange-based, the recent steady appreciation of the Naira, driven by the government’s economic reforms, necessitates a reduction in the cost.

“The rates have continued to improve steadily with the naira appreciating,” Hadeija stated. “The vice-president felt that… we should also pass the benefits to them.”

NAHCON officials have been instructed to immediately recalculate the fares using a more realistic exchange rate. If this is applied, the government projects the Hajj fare could be brought down to between N7.6 million and N7.7 million.

The final, reduced figure is expected to be announced within the next two days. Hadeija, however, emphasized that achieving this lower cost is dependent on the quick remittance of funds from the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.

“The faster the pilgrims pay their hajj fares and they are remitted to the Hajj commission, the faster they can pass it to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to buy the dollars for them,” he noted.

The intervention was hailed by stakeholders. Alhaji Faruk Yaro, Chairman of the Kebbi Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, expressed gratitude to the President and Vice-President for the timely move, which he said is expected to significantly reduce the cost.

Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, Secretary of NAHCON, welcomed the directive, stating that a lower fare would give more Muslims the opportunity to perform the Hajj.

“As directed by the vice-president, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to an affordable rate,” he affirmed.