Nigeria’s hajj quota reduced to 66,910 by Saudi Arabia for 2026

Saudi Arabia has cut Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 to 66,910 slots for the year 2026. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) stated that the decrease was due to Nigeria’s inability to fully utilize its previous allocations during the 2024 and 2025 pilgrimages.

Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON’s Deputy Director of Information and Publication, noted in a statement that the revised figure represents the actual slots available for Nigeria on the NUSUK Masar portal. “Although Nigeria was initially granted 95,000 slots, only 66,910 will be available for the 2026 Hajj because of underutilization in earlier years,” she explained.

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This decision was announced during a meeting between NAHCON and state officials to discuss Hajj expenses and other important issues.

Prince Anofiu Elegushi, the Commissioner of Operations, mentioned that future allocations to states will be based on their performance and utilization during the 2025 pilgrimage.

In his comments, NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman called for cooperation among state officials to ensure a seamless Hajj operation in 2026 and underscored the importance of adhering to medical screening requirements deemed critical by Saudi authorities.

Additionally, NAHCON revealed that they are in talks to reduce certain costs, such as cargo handling fees, to alleviate the financial burden on prospective pilgrims.