NAHCON raises alarm over delay in 2026 Hajj fare payments

‎The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has voiced serious concerns about the postponement of fee settlements for the 2026 pilgrimage by prospective pilgrims nationwide, warning that it could jeopardize important arrangements in Saudi Arabia.
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‎Prof. Abdullahi Saleh-Usman, chairman of the commission, shared these worries during a briefing held after his meeting with Governor Dikko Radda on Wednesday. He explained that such delays might impede NAHCON’s ability to secure premium accommodation options in Mecca and Madina, which are vital for the pilgrims’ comfort.
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‎During his visit, Saleh-Usman sought support from Governor Radda, who leads the North-West Governors Forum, urging early payments to safeguard reserved facilities. The chairman also outlined several government-backed programs to ease the financial strain on pilgrims. President Bola Tinubu notably approved a substantial N90 billion support fund for the forthcoming Hajj season to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations.
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The commission also successfully lobbied for a N24 billion allocation aimed at clearing outstanding debts of 2023 Hajj airline carriers, thus preventing their collapse.
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‎ One strategic reform included suspending the Central Bank of Nigeria’s initially planned credit card payment policy for pilgrimage travel allowances, considered beneficial following inadequate awareness among pilgrims. NAHCON also increased its Hajj saving program by onboarding more financial institutions, enabling smoother, incremental contributions for aspirants.
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The commission refunded about N5.3 billion to states’ pilgrim welfare boards after uncovering service lapses during the 2023 season, in order to build public trust and pursue transparency and accountability.
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To curb rising expenses for 2025 pilgrims, the commission renegotiated contracts with Masharig Al-Dhahabia, adjusting service levels to the actual number of registrants, 52,544 instead of the earlier forecast of 95,000, protecting funds and helping lower fees.
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Governor Radda on the other side, pledged full support to help educate the public on the urgency of prompt payment, reinforcing his readiness to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
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The collaboration between NAHCON and the government aims to motivate timely payments, ensuring pilgrims receive optimal services and accommodations in 2026.
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