Save Nigerian Pilgrims from Missing 2026 Hajj – CSO Appeals to Tinubu, Governors

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organization in the Hajj and Umrah industry, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria’s 36 state governors to provide financial support to ensure Nigerian pilgrims do not miss out on the 2026 Hajj.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, who is attending the 5th Hajj and Umrah Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the group explained that any loan approved would be reimbursed to state governments once pilgrims pay their fares.

The appeal comes after the Nigerian Hajj quota was slashed from 95,000 to 66,000 slots for 2026, with warnings of a further reduction to 50,000 if payments are not made on time.

“The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has given the Nigerian authorities 14 days to make all necessary payments for allocated slots, failing which further reductions may occur,” the IHR stated.

The CSO urged the President to mobilize governors to approve loans that will cover their states’ allocations and make funds available to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for timely payments. It warned that failure to act could permanently reduce Nigeria’s quota to 50,000, especially as other countries seek increases.

IHR also highlighted that, as of now, fewer than 20,000 pilgrims nationwide have registered, citing late preparations and the tendency of many intending pilgrims to wait until the end of Ramadan to make payments as factors contributing to the shortfall.

The Saudi Ministry had set December 21, 2025, as the deadline for Mashaa’ir Camp fee payments via the Nusuk Wallet, with January 4, 2026, as the final date for all Hajj camp and service payments.