Saudi Arabia Reduces Nigeria’s 2026 Hajj Slots to 66,910

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that Saudi Arabia has reduced Nigeria’s hajj allocation for 2026 to 66,910 slots, following the country’s underutilisation of its 95,000 slots during the 2025 pilgrimage.

In a statement released on Thursday, Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, said the revised quota was reserved on the NUSUK Masar portal by Saudi authorities.

According to Usara, Anofiu Elegushi, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, disclosed the development during a meeting with state pilgrims’ welfare boards.

“The implication of this is that while 95,000 slots were allocated to Nigeria, the actual number that can participate in the 2026 Hajj is 51,513 for states and all other officials, while 15,397 will go to licensed tour operators,” the statement reads.

“It was revealed that Saudi Arabia reduced Nigeria’s camp slots to this figure of 66,910 on the portal due to underutilisation of slots in the previous year.”

Elegushi noted that allocations to each state for the 2026 hajj would depend on how well they utilised their 2025 slots.

Also speaking, Saidu Dumbulwa, a NAHCON board member representing the Ministry of Health, said Saudi Arabia had introduced stricter health regulations for intending pilgrims.

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Dumbulwa explained that individuals suffering from organ failure, psychiatric or neurological disorders, and dementia would no longer be allowed entry into the kingdom. He also listed pregnancy, tuberculosis, active cancer under chemotherapy, and other communicable diseases as conditions that could disqualify potential pilgrims.

He said the new health rules were introduced “to curb disease transmission, reduce mortality, and ease the pressure on Saudi Arabia’s health system during the pilgrimage.”

Dumbulwa added that medical screening for intending pilgrims would now take place only in designated hospitals, and only verified officials of integrity would be authorised to sign medical certificates. These certificates, he said, must be countersigned by a state’s chief medical director to prevent forgery.

“The commission emphasised that visa issuance will now be tied to verified medical certificates at the point of entry,” he said.

“Hence, all health regulations must be strictly observed, as any violation will hold Nigeria collectively accountable.”