October 03, (THEWILL) — The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) has announced December 31, 2025, as the final deadline for the completion of payment of fares for the 2026 Hajj.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, disclosed the deadline while addressing a press conference in Kano on Friday, shortly returning from a working visit to Saudi Arabia.
“The deadlines now stand as pillars of our preparations, meaning that by 8th October 2025, States are to remit 50% fare deposits to the Commission in order to maintain their allocations.
“Accordingly, by 31st December 2025, every pilgrim must have completed payment for their 2026 Hajj fares. These deadlines are not just administrative, but to guarantee early camp booking, stronger contracts, and provision of efficient services”, he added.
He said he departed Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on the 22nd of September 2025, and had carried with him “one mission, that is to defend the Nigerian pilgrims, to secure for them cost-efficient services and to prepare the ground for a better 2026 Hajj.”
“Our task was negotiation, planning and securing the best services for Nigerian intending pilgrims. Today, I stand before you not with promises, but results.
“We achieved meaningful relief for pilgrims. Through determined engagements with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards Executives and our Saudi partners, NAHCON has secured more than N200,000 service cost reduction per pilgrim. With 66910 slots allocated to Nigeria, this equals more than 19 billion cost relief secured”, the chairman said.
He said the feat aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that Nigerian Pilgrims are getting these great reliefs.
Prof.Usman said the commission had strengthened the 2026 Hajj foundation by achieving the signing of Masha’ir Services contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya company, as well as Transport services with Daleel Al-Ma’aleem company.
“We also concluded contracts for Madinah accommodation and feeding, ensuring that quality accommodation is secured in Markaziyya at the best rates possible. And also interacted with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with honest assessment and firm recommendations from the lessons of 2025 Hajj”, he said.
He also disclosed that the commission had inaugurated the 2026 Hajj Tour Operators Screening Committee to screen and ensure that only those who meet the requirements would serve Nigerian pilgrims, adding that “the days of shortcuts and cutting corners are over.”
The chairman stated that the commission had initiated intensive training for its staff to prepare them for future Hajj operations.
“You are aware that 2026 Hajj fares were announced early enough this year, which reflects fairness, and not excess with a view to allowing intending pilgrims to pay on time, with Maiduguri/Yola – N8,118,333.67, Northern states – 8,244,813.67 and Southern states – N8,561,013.67”, he said.
He noted that the success of Hajj 2026 “cannot be improvised, it must be built early, with discipline, confidence, foresight and courage. That is why we engaged, negotiated, and acted ahead of time.”
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
