Saudi Arabia has maintained Nigeria’s allocation of 50,000 pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj despite the Federal Government’s request for additional slots.
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ambassador Ismail Yusuf, disclosed this during a media roundtable in Abuja on the reforms introduced by Saudi Arabia for Hajj operations and their implications for Nigerian pilgrims.
Yusuf said Nigerian authorities had approached the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah seeking an increase in the country’s allocation because of the large number of Muslims interested in undertaking the pilgrimage.
However, Saudi authorities declined the request, citing capacity constraints and the advanced stage of preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage.
According to the NAHCON chairman, the 50,000 slots currently assigned to Nigeria are fixed under the existing arrangement. The allocation comprises 35,000 places for government-sponsored pilgrims and another 15,000 for pilgrims travelling through licensed tour operators.
Yusuf explained that Hajj quotas are predetermined for participating countries based on available capacity, logistics and the facilities required to accommodate pilgrims.
He said Nigeria nevertheless had a responsibility to seek additional places because of the demand among its citizens, adding that the commission pursued the request despite the eventual rejection by Saudi Arabia.
The NAHCON chairman said Saudi authorities could review Nigeria’s allocation in a subsequent year, depending in part on how effectively the country utilises its existing quota.
He therefore urged Nigerian stakeholders to ensure that the 50,000 available slots are fully and properly utilised.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia implements significant changes to its Hajj administration under its Vision 2030 programme. The reforms include greater digitisation, tighter regulation and a shift towards a business-to-business model involving private operators.
Yusuf said Nigeria was taking steps to align its Hajj operations with the new Saudi framework while protecting the interests and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
He added that NAHCON was strengthening its digital systems, training personnel and improving data processing to meet the requirements of the Saudi authorities.
The commission has also urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, licensed operators and other stakeholders to comply with the registration and documentation deadlines for the 2027 pilgrimage.
In particular, prospective pilgrims’ data must be uploaded by September 26, 2026, with NAHCON warning that the deadline would not be extended.
Yusuf also advised Nigerians who may not secure places for the 2027 pilgrimage to consider registering for the 2028 Hajj, noting that registration for the subsequent exercise has already commenced.
NAHCON said it would continue working with Saudi authorities and Nigerian stakeholders to implement the new arrangements while prioritising transparency, regulatory compliance and the welfare of pilgrims.
