PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS REDUCTION OF 2026 HAJJ FARE
VP Shettima Gives NAHCON Two Days To Implement President’s Directive
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an immediate review and reduction of the 2026 Hajj fares to reflect the recent appreciation of the naira.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, conveying the President’s directive on Monday during a meeting with the management and board members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, instructed the Commission to announce new fares within two days.
The Vice President emphasized the need for synergy between national and state officials, including state governors, to streamline and adopt new, realistic fares for the 2026 exercise. He also called for prompt action by all stakeholders to ensure quick payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in order to guarantee a smooth Hajj operation.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, explained that the session was convened to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj, particularly the determination of fares.
He noted that the Federal Government’s ongoing economic reforms have led to a steady appreciation of the naira, which should directly benefit prospective pilgrims.
“Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government. The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid N8.5 million to N8.6 million based on negative exchange rates last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should also be passed to the prospective pilgrims,” he said.
Senator Hadeija added that NAHCON officials have been directed to adopt more realistic exchange rates to achieve a “very significant reduction” in the cost of the 2026 pilgrimage.
Also speaking, the Secretary of NAHCON, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the President’s directive, noting that it would enable more Muslim faithful to perform Hajj.
“It is a welcome development and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. So, as directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to reduce the fare to the barest minimum and make it affordable for every Muslim,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of the 36 States and FCT Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed gratitude for 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 Hajj fare. So, we are happy,” he said.
