Nigeria Gets 10,000 Additional Hajj Slots For 2027 Pilgrimage

Nigeria has secured an additional 10,000 slots for the 2027 Hajj, raising the country’s allocation from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.

The new allocation will create room for more Nigerian Muslims who could not secure places under the initial quota.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the development on Thursday. It said sustained diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia led to the additional slots.

Of the 10,000 new places, State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions will receive 7,500.

The remaining 2,500 slots will go to seven lead licensed Hajj tour operators.

The increase could also provide another opportunity for intending pilgrims who missed the earlier arrangements for the 2027 pilgrimage.

NAHCON had set September 26 as the deadline for submitting travel documents. However, the commission has not announced a fresh deadline following the increase in the allocation.

The additional slots are therefore expected to require adjustments to the existing arrangements. Such changes would allow the new beneficiaries to complete the necessary documentation and travel preparations.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities.

Yusuf specifically acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for the Hajj sector and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

He also commended the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, alongside his deputy, Dr Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat.

The NAHCON chairman linked the additional allocation to the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He said cooperation between both countries had continued to support arrangements for Nigerian Muslims undertaking the annual pilgrimage.

Yusuf assured intending pilgrims that NAHCON would administer the additional slots transparently.

He said the commission would work with state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and licensed private tour operators while following Nigerian and Saudi regulations.

The new allocation takes Nigeria’s total 2027 Hajj quota to 60,000. It covers pilgrims travelling through state authorities and approved private operators.

Yusuf reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to making the pilgrimage affordable and accessible to Nigerians.

He also pledged to maintain standards in service delivery, regulatory compliance, accountability and operational efficiency.

According to him, the commission will continue to work with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 Hajj.

The effort, he said, would ensure effective coordination of the pilgrimage and protect the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.