Tinubu orders an immediate reduction in Hajj 2026 rates

President Bola Tinubu directed the National Commission of Hajj of Nigeria (Nahcon) to urgently review and cut the cost of the 2026 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, citing the recent appreciation of the Naira.

The President’s order was disclosed on Monday by his deputy head of the staff, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, after a high -level meeting with Nahcon officials in the presidential villa, Abuja.

Nahcon had previously set the rates at N8.318,336.67 for the Maiduguri-Yola area that covers Yobe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba, N8.244,813.67 for the northern states and N8.561,013.67 for the southern states.

Hadeija explained that the rates were drowned using a change rate of N1.550 for dollar, but with the Naira who had strength in continuous economic reforms, pilgrims should benefit from a reduction in reduction.

“This meeting was substantially called in case of excellence, the vice -president, to examine the possibility of reducing the Hajj rate for the pilgrimage of 2026,” he said.

“The rates were based on a pessimistic exchange rate. Since Naira continued to appreciate, pilgrims deserve to enjoy the benefits. If more realistic exchange rates are applied, the rates should go down between N7.6 Me N7.7 m. The final figure will be announced in the next two days”, added Hadeija.

He also recommended to the advice of welfare of the state Muslim pilgrims to put the payments in advance in Nahcon to allow the commission to guarantee dollars at lower rates from the central bank of Nigeria.

“Faster pays pilgrims, the easier it is for the commission to access foreign evaluations at cheaper rates. In this way, we can guarantee a significant reduction in Hajj rates,” he underlined.

In his reaction, the secretary of Nahcon, dr. Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed development, ensuring that the commission would respect the directive.

“It is a welcome move. The lower the hajj rate, the more Muslims will have the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage. As directed by the vice -president, we will work tirelessly to ensure that the adjustment is carried out immediately,” he said.

The Muslim faithful throughout the country complained of the increase in Hajj’s cost, which last year was between N8.5 million and N8.6 million, forcing many intense pilgrims to retire.

‘

Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need advertising for a product, service or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 email: platformtimes@gmail.com

We commit ourselves to an investigative journalism of great impact for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell other stories. Please give any amount HERE