Tinubu Orders Immediate Reduction Of 2026 Hajj Fare

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate downward review of the 2026 Hajj fare to reflect the recent appreciation of the naira against the dollar.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed the directive during a meeting with the management and board members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, gave the commission two days to produce a new and affordable fare structure.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, the President’s directive aims to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims benefit directly from the gains of the administration’s ongoing economic reforms.

Shettima urged NAHCON to work closely with state governments and other relevant agencies to harmonise the revised fares and ensure smooth coordination of the 2026 pilgrimage. He also emphasised the need for prompt remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to guarantee seamless operations.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the decision followed a review of the current exchange rate, which has improved significantly due to recent fiscal and monetary reforms.

“Rates have continued to improve steadily with the appreciation of the naira. If pilgrims paid between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million last year, the new exchange rate should now reflect in the 2026 fares. The Vice President made it clear that the benefits of the stronger naira must be passed on to the pilgrims,” Hadeija said.

NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the directive, describing it as a welcome relief for intending pilgrims. “The lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. As directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly to reduce the cost to the barest minimum,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of Pilgrims Boards, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, commended the President and Vice President for their intervention.

“We are very happy because this intervention will bring down the cost of the Hajj fare. We thank the President and Vice President for their concern and timely response,” Yaro said.