President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an immediate downward review of the 2026 Hajj fares to reflect the continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar.
The directive, issued through Vice President Kashim Shettima, mandates the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to come up with new and more affordable fare options within two days.
Speaking at a meeting with the management and board members of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Vice President Shettima emphasized the need for synergy between national and state officials, including state governors, in ensuring a smooth and affordable Hajj operation.
According to him, the review is necessary given the recent improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange rate and the government’s ongoing economic reforms.
“Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government,” the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, told journalists after the meeting.
“If pilgrims paid between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million based on a negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has now improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should be passed on to prospective pilgrims.”
Hadeija explained that the meeting, convened at the instance of the Vice President, was aimed at finalizing preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations and ensuring that intending pilgrims benefit from the stronger naira.
He added that NAHCON officials have been instructed to work out new rates based on more realistic exchange values to achieve a “very significant reduction in the Hajj cost.”
The Secretary of NAHCON, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the presidential directive, noting that it would enable more Muslims to fulfill their religious obligations.
“It is a welcome development, and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj,” he said.
“As directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to reduce it to the barest minimum and make it affordable for every Muslim who wishes to perform this very important pillar of Islam.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of the 36 States and FCT Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed appreciation for the federal government’s intervention.
“We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened,” Yaro said.
“We thank God for what they have done, which is expected to bring down the cost of the Hajj fare.”
The meeting marks another step in the Tinubu administration’s efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms on citizens and ensure transparency in the management of pilgrimage affairs.
