The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has secured an additional 10,000 pilgrimage slots from Saudi Arabia for the 2027 Hajj, increasing Nigeria’s total allocation from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.
NAHCON disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Head of Information and Publications Division, Shafii Mohammed.
According to the commission, 7,500 of the additional slots have been allocated to state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions, while the remaining 2,500 have been assigned to seven lead tour operator companies.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi Arabian authorities for approving the additional allocation.
He assured intending pilgrims and other stakeholders that the additional slots would be administered transparently and in compliance with relevant Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations.
The commission said the increase followed sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities.
“The additional allocation brings Nigeria’s total Hajj allocation for the 2027 pilgrimage from 50,000 to 60,000 slots,” the statement said.
Yusuf said the additional allocation reflected the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring that the pilgrimage remains affordable and accessible to Nigerians.
He also pledged that the commission would maintain high standards of service delivery, regulatory compliance, accountability and operational efficiency in the administration of the 2027 Hajj.
Yusuf said NAHCON would continue to work with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to ensure a well-coordinated pilgrimage and safeguard the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
Nigeria was initially allocated 50,000 slots for the 2027 Hajj, comprising 35,000 slots for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed tour operators.
NAHCON had also announced that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah required the biometric data of all intending pilgrims to be uploaded to the designated Nusuk-Masar platform by September 26.
Following the additional allocation, NAHCON is expected to review its operational timetable, including the deadline for uploading pilgrims’ biometric data.
