Nigeria has secured an additional 10,000 Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia for the 2027 pilgrimage, increasing the country’s allocation from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ismail Yusuf, announced the development during the General Assembly of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) at the National Mosque Complex in Abuja.
According to Yusuf, 7,500 of the additional slots will be allocated to state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and commissions, while the remaining 2,500 slots will go to seven lead licensed tour operators.
NAHCON urges early registration
The NAHCON chairman urged traditional rulers, pilgrims’ welfare boards and other stakeholders to encourage intending pilgrims to register early.
He said early registration would help Nigeria meet Saudi Arabia’s registration deadlines and align its preparations with the kingdom’s increasingly digitised Hajj management system and logistical requirements.
Yusuf also assured prospective pilgrims that the additional slots would be distributed transparently and administered in accordance with both Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations.
Commission promises improved arrangements
Yusuf said NAHCON remained committed to making the pilgrimage more accessible and affordable while improving service delivery, accountability and operational efficiency.
He commended the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments for their continued cooperation, saying the increase in Nigeria’s allocation reflected the cordial relationship between the two countries.
The NSCIA General Assembly also featured a national prayer attended by Islamic scholars, Chief Imams and traditional rulers from the six geopolitical zones.
The participants prayed for peace, economic stability, national security and guidance for the country’s leadership.
NAHCON said it would continue working with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that arrangements for the 2027 Hajj are properly coordinated and that the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remains a priority.
