2027 Hajj: NAHCON Urges Intending Pilgrims To Meet Payment, Registration Deadlines

Intending Nigerian pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj have been urged to comply with payment and registration schedules as the country’s approved quota remains capped at 50,000 pilgrims, following Saudi Arabia’s rejection of Nigeria’s request for additional slots.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria(NAHCON) said compliance with the prescribed timelines was necessary to ensure that available slots were properly allocated and pilgrims’ details uploaded within the deadlines set for the pilgrimage.

The Commission disclosed that Saudi Arabia had declined Nigeria’s request for an upward review of its 2027 allocation, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints at the holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of adhering to approved country quotas.

Nigeria’s allocation therefore remains 35,000 government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed tour operators, bringing the total to 50,000.

NAHCON said it had engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over the possibility of increasing the allocation following growing demand and requests from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the Commission understood the disappointment arising from the decision but respected the position of the Saudi authorities

“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots.

While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations,” he said.

Yusuf urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to make transparent and judicious use of their approved allocations and comply with all deadlines established by NAHCON and the Saudi Nusuk platform.

He specifically warned that the deadline for uploading the data of all prospective 2027 pilgrims remains September 26, 2026, with no extension to be granted.

“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026. We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted,” Yusuf said.

He also advised prospective pilgrims who are unable to secure slots for the 2027 pilgrimage to consider registering for the 2028 Hajj.

“The Commission has officially opened the registration portal for this period, and applications are now being accepted,” he said.
NAHCON said preparations for the 2027 Hajj were progressing, adding that further updates on operational guidelines and the implementation of the new business-to-business framework would be issued through its official channels.

The Commission appealed to all stakeholders to comply with the approved quota and operational timelines, describing adherence to the Saudi allocation system as essential to the orderly conduct of the pilgrimage.