FG Slashes 2026 Hajj Fare, Southern Zone Gets Biggest Reduction
The Federal Government, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a significant downward review of the 2026 Hajj fare.
Naija News reports that the development comes following a recommendation by Vice President Kashim Shettima to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
In a statement issued by the commission on Monday, November 10, NAHCON confirmed that fares have been cut by hundreds of thousands of naira across the Southern, Northern, and Borno-Adamawa zones.
The reduction applies to the initial 2025 fare structure, which had pegged the cost at over ₦8.7 million for pilgrims from the Southern zone and ₦8 million for those travelling from the North.
Southern Zone Gets Biggest Reduction
NAHCON said the Southern zone recorded the steepest cut, with a reduction of ₦792,943.83, bringing the new fare down to ₦7,991,141.76 from the previous ₦8,784,085.59.
“The largest reduction was recorded for pilgrims in the Southern Zone, where the fare has been reduced by ₦792,943.83,” the statement read.
Naija News understands that pilgrims from the Northern zone will now pay ₦7,696,769.76, representing a reduction of ₦760,915.83 from the earlier approved fare.
For the Borno and Adamawa zone—previously the lowest in the country—the new fare has been set at ₦7,579,020.96, a saving of ₦748,104.63.
The commission also announced a critical financial deadline for intending pilgrims.
It urged all prospective pilgrims to ensure payment of their fares by 5 December 2025, warning that the date is crucial for completing final arrangements and securing Nigeria’s allotted slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
“This date is critical for finalizing preparations and securing slots for the 2026 exercise,” NAHCON said.
NAHCON expressed optimism that the reduction will be widely welcomed by Nigerian Muslims, many of whom had raised concerns over the rising cost of the pilgrimage.
The commission said the intervention will make the 2026 Hajj “more accessible” and ease the financial pressure on thousands of intending pilgrims.