Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj allocation rises to 60,000 pilgrims
Nigeria will receive 10,000 additional places for the 2027 Hajj after approval by Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria said. The increase takes the country’s allocation from 50,000 to 60,000, with most of the new places assigned to state pilgrimage agencies and the remainder to licensed tour operators.
Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj has increased by 10,000 places to 60,000, following approval by Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria said on Thursday. The commission said the additional places were secured after sustained diplomatic engagement between the Nigerian and Saudi governments. The previous allocation was 50,000 pilgrims.
According to a statement issued by NAHCON’s Head of Information and Publications, Shafii Mohammed, 7,500 of the new places will go to state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions. The remaining 2,500 places have been assigned to seven lead tour operator companies. NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ismail Abba Yusuf thanked the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities for approving the increase.
He said the additional allocation reflected the cordial relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Yusuf said NAHCON would administer the places transparently and in accordance with Nigerian and Saudi regulations. He also reaffirmed the commission’s stated objective of keeping the pilgrimage affordable and accessible while maintaining service, accountability and operational standards.
The commission said it would continue working with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to coordinate the 2027 pilgrimage and protect the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims. Before the increase, the 50,000 places comprised 35,000 for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed tour operators. NAHCON had also said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah required biometric information for all intending pilgrims to be uploaded to the Nusuk-Masar platform by September 26.
The statement said the commission was expected to review its timetable following the extra allocation, particularly the deadline for uploading pilgrims’ biometric data. It did not provide a revised deadline.
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