President Tinubu orders review of 2026 hajj fares

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately review the 2026 Hajj fares.

The directive comes after the naira’s continued appreciation against the dollar, a key factor in determining the cost of Hajj.

According to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the review is necessary to ensure that the benefits of the improved exchange rate are reflected in the fares.

The previous fares were N8.1 million for pilgrims from the Maiduguri zone, N8.2 million for other northern states, and N8.5 million for southern states.

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NAHCON has been given two days to submit a new fare proposal. The Vice-President emphasized the need for close coordination between national and state officials to ensure uniformity in adopting the revised rate.

He also called for quick payment and remittance of funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure a smooth and timely operation.

Ibrahim Hadeija, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, said the discussion focused on finalizing arrangements for the 2026 Hajj, particularly on reducing fares for intending pilgrims.

He noted that the government’s economic reforms have strengthened the naira and that the president expects the benefits to be passed on to prospective pilgrims.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.