Nigeria secures 10,000 more slots for 2027 hajj

Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj has increased to 60,000 pilgrims after Saudi Arabia approved an additional 10,000 slots, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The approval expands the country’s initial allocation of 50,000 slots by 20 per cent, providing additional places through state pilgrims welfare agencies and licensed private tour operators.

NAHCON, in a statement on Thursday, October 1 by its Head of Information and Publications Division, Shafii Sani Mohammed, said the increase followed sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments.

Of the additional allocation, 7,500 slots have been assigned to state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions, while 2,500 have been allocated to seven lead tour operator companies.

“The additional allocation brings Nigeria’s total Hajj allocation for the 2027 pilgrimage from 50,000 to 60,000 slots,” the commission said.

Nigeria’s original allocation comprised 35,000 slots for the state-managed pilgrimage channel and 15,000 for licensed tour operators.

With the additional places, the allocation rises to 42,500 slots for state pilgrim welfare bodies and 17,500 for private tour operators.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, thanked the Federal Government and Saudi Arabian authorities for securing the additional allocation.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its support for the Hajj sector and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

Yusuf said the approval reflected the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and their cooperation in facilitating the pilgrimage.

He assured intending pilgrims that the additional slots would be administered transparently and in accordance with Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations.