2027 Hajj: NAHCON insists on Sept 26 deadline for pilgrims’ registration

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has insisted on the earlier September 26 deadline set for completion of payment and registration of intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In its latest reminder to intending pilgrims, the commission asked those yet to complete their payment to do so before the deadline while urging fresh registrants to contact any of the state pilgrims welfare boards/commissions/agencies, private tour operators and participating banks with a view to paying and registering for next year’s pilgrimage.

While saying that no extension will be granted beyond the deadline, NAHCON explained that the action was in strict compliance with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s policy.

According to NAHCON, September 26 remains the deadline for the complete upload of intending pilgrims’ biometric data on designated Nusuk-Massar digital platform, just as it added that remittance of all 2027 Hajj fares by states should be completed by December 2.

The commission, had on August 14, announced fares, ranging from N7,560,822 to N7,882,822.00 as approved by the Federal Government to be paid by Nigerian intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

The fares, according to the commission, are based on the respective departure points across the country.

NAHCON management had informed, through a public notice, that the fares were in line with the principle of transparency, cost-efficiency and government’s commitment to Nigerian pilgrims’ welfare.

According to the commission, intending pilgrims from Maiduguri/Yola zone will pay the sum of N7,560,822, while those from other Northern states would pay N7,672,822.

The sum of N7,882,822 was approved for payment by intending pilgrims from the Southern zone.

The amounts fixed for the next year’s Hajj exercise are slightly lower by about N100,000 compared to the fares paid for the 2026 Hajj by Nigerians who participated in the annual spiritual exercise.

READ ALSO: Kano Hajj Board sets Sept 5 deadline for e-passport submission

For the 2026 exercise, pilgrims from the Maiduguri/Yola zone, comprising Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba states, paid the sum of N7,579,20.96, while those from other Northern states and Southern states paid N7,696,769.76 and N7,991,41.76, respectively.

NAHCON said the approved fares for the 2027 Hajj were determined following consultations with the leadership of the Forum of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, key service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as careful consideration of prevailing exchange rates and service costs.

In a related development, a NAHCON delegation on Tuesday paid an enlightenment and sensitisation visit to Sokoto State deputy governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammed Gobir, with a view to creating greater awareness among stakeholders on the new policies relating to the 2027 Hajj exercise as laid down by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The delegation briefed the deputy governor on the new Saudi policies and emphasized the need for strict adherence to the timelines as contained in the Saudi authorities’ guidelines for the 2027 Hajj.

Sokoto State is among the states with large contingents to Hajj every year.