President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate review and reduction of the 2026 Hajj fares to reflect the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, the key determinant of pilgrimage costs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed the President’s directive, gave the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) 48 hours to submit new, realistic fares for the exercise. He issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with the management and board members of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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.
