Nigeria has secured 10,000 additional Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia, raising its 2027 allocation from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the increase on Thursday. Shafii Mohammed, Head of its Information and Publications Division, signed the statement. According to the commission, Saudi Arabia approved the extra slots after high-level talks with the Nigerian government.
How the Extra Slots Will Be Shared
NAHCON has shared the 10,000 new slots as follows:
- 7,500 slots: State Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions
- 2,500 slots: Seven lead tour operator companies
The new slots add to the original 50,000. They do not replace them. Initially, Nigeria received 35,000 slots for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed tour operators.
NAHCON’s Reaction
NAHCON Chairman and CEO, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, thanked President Bola Tinubu’s administration for supporting the Hajj sector. He also thanked the Saudi authorities and described the extra allocation as a sign of the long-standing friendship between both countries.
Yusuf promised that NAHCON would manage the slots transparently and follow Nigerian and Saudi regulations. In addition, he said the commission wants Hajj to stay affordable and accessible to Nigerians. To achieve this, NAHCON will keep working with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to ensure a well-coordinated 2027 Hajj.
Earlier, NAHCON said Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah required intending pilgrims’ biometric data on the Nusuk-Masar platform by September 26. However, the larger allocation means the commission is expected to review that deadline.
