President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to review and reduce the 2026 Hajj fares in light of the naira’s recent appreciation against the dollar. Vice President Kashim Shettima conveyed the President’s directive, tasking NAHCON with submitting new, realistic fares within 48 hours.

– New Fare Structure: The current fares stand at ₦8,318,336.67 for Maiduguri-Yola Zone, ₦8,244,813.67 for Northern States, and ₦8,561,013.67 for Southern States. However, with the improved exchange rate, fares are expected to drop significantly, potentially ranging from ₦7.6 to ₦7.7 million.
NAHCON Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the directive, stating that the commission will work tirelessly to reduce fares to the barest minimum, making the pilgrimage more affordable for Nigerian Muslims.
Muslim leaders and pilgrims’ welfare boards have expressed gratitude to the President and Vice President for their intervention, hoping it will increase the number of pilgrims in 2026.
The reduction in Hajj fares is expected to make the pilgrimage more accessible to thousands of Nigerian Muslims.
The directive reflects the government’s efforts to ensure that economic gains translate into social and religious benefits for citizens

Shettima said the review had become necessary following the steady appreciation of the naira, which should translate into reduced costs for intending pilgrims. He urged national and state officials, including governors, to work together to harmonise and adopt the new fares.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President emphasised the need for all stakeholders to act swiftly to ensure prompt payments and remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a smooth and hitch-free exercise.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the gathering was convened to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly the determination of fares.

According to him, the objective is to reduce the financial burden on pilgrims in line with the government’s economic reforms. “Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government,” he said.

“The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on the previous exchange rate last year, and the naira has now appreciated, the new rates should reflect that change. The benefits should be passed on to the intending pilgrims,” Hadeija added.

He explained that NAHCON officials were directed to immediately review the exchange rates to achieve a significant reduction in fares.

In his reaction, NAHCON Secretary, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, described the directive as a welcome development that would enable more Muslims to participate in the 2026 pilgrimage. “The lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. As directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly within the next two days to reduce it to the barest minimum and make it affordable,” he said.

Also, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman, Forum of the Chief Executives of the 36 States and FCT Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, commended the intervention by the President and Vice President.

“We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have said, which is expected to bring down the cost of the Hajj fare. So, we are happy,” he said.