Hajj: Nigeria Secures 10,000 Extra Slots, Allocation Hits 60,000

Nigeria has secured an additional 10,000 Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia for the 2027 pilgrimage, increasing the country’s total allocation from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria announced the development on Thursday, saying the additional allocation followed sustained engagements between the Federal Government and the Saudi Arabian authorities.

According to the commission, 7,500 of the additional slots will be allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, while the remaining 2,500 will go to seven lead tour operator companies.

The new allocation represents an expansion of Nigeria’s existing 50,000-slot quota and is expected to accommodate more Nigerian Muslims seeking to perform the annual pilgrimage in 2027.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi Arabian authorities for the additional allocation.

He said the development reflected the longstanding relationship and cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly in facilitating the pilgrimage of Nigerian Muslims.

Yusuf assured that the additional slots would be administered transparently and in accordance with relevant Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations and operational requirements.

He said the commission would work with state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies, commissions and licensed private tour operators to ensure proper administration of the additional allocation.

The NAHCON chairman also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to making Hajj affordable and accessible to Nigerians while maintaining standards in service delivery, accountability and operational efficiency.

The latest development comes after Saudi Arabia initially declined Nigeria’s request for an increase in its 2027 Hajj allocation.

The earlier 50,000-slot allocation comprised 35,000 slots for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed private tour operators.

Following the additional approval, attention is expected to shift to how the new slots will be distributed and processed, particularly given earlier deadlines for registering intending pilgrims and uploading their biometric information to the designated Saudi platform.

The commission is expected to provide further guidance to state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and licensed tour operators on arrangements for the additional allocation.

The increase brings Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj quota to 60,000 pilgrims and provides additional capacity for prospective pilgrims ahead of the next pilgrimage season.