By: Mariam Zubair Abubakar

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a substantial downward review of the Hajj fare for the 2026 pilgrimage, offering significant financial relief to prospective Nigerian pilgrims across all operational zones.

The revised figures, released by the commission which operates under the Presidency, show a reduction of up to N792,943.83 from the initial 2025 Hajj fare, depending on the pilgrim’s departure zone.

The largest reduction was recorded for pilgrims in the Southern Zone, where the fare has been reduced by N792,943.83. The revised cost for the Southern Zone now stands at N7,991,141.76, down from the previous N8,784,085.59.

Pilgrims departing from the Northern Zone will see a reduction of N760,915.83, bringing the revised fare to N7,696,769.76. Meanwhile, the Borno and Adamawa Zone—which has the lowest fare nationally—has a new rate of N7,579,020.96, reflecting a saving of N748,104.63.

The commission also issued a crucial update regarding the financial timeline for the pilgrimage. All prospective pilgrims are strongly advised to note the new payment deadline which has been set for 5th December 2025. This date is critical for finalizing preparations and securing slots for the 2026 exercise.

The fare reduction is expected to be widely welcomed by Nigerian Muslims planning to perform the annual pilgrimage, making the journey more accessible.

Mariam writes from the Public Affairs Unit NAHCON