Tinubu Orders Reduction Of 2026 Hajj Fare As Naira Strengthens Against Dollar

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an immediate review of the 2026 Hajj fares, citing the continued appreciation of the Naira against the Dollar. Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on the President’s directive, has given the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) a 48-hour deadline to present revised fares for the pilgrimage exercise.

Shettima issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with NAHCON’s management and board members at the Presidential Villa, emphasising the need for synergy among national and state officials, including state governors, in adopting the new fare structure.

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He stressed the importance of prompt action by stakeholders to ensure quick payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a smooth pilgrimage operation.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, explained that the session was convened to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj, particularly fare determination. He noted that the objective is to reduce costs for pilgrims based on current economic improvements driven by the Tinubu administration’s reforms.

“Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government,” he said. “The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on the negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should also be passed to the prospective pilgrims.”

He added that NAHCON officials have been instructed to work with more realistic exchange rates, predicting a significant reduction in Hajj fares if targets are achieved. NAHCON Secretary, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, welcomed the President’s directive, saying it would increase the number of intending pilgrims for this year’s exercise.

“It is a welcome development and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj,” Mohammad said. “As directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to the barest minimum and affordable rate for every Muslim faithful to have the opportunity to perform this very important pillar of Islam.”

Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, Chairman of Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executives of the 36 States and FCT Pilgrims Boards, expressed satisfaction with the presidential intervention.

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“We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have said, which is expected to bring down the cost of Hajj fare,” Yaro stated.

Last year, pilgrims paid between ₦8.5 million and ₦8.6 million for the Hajj exercise, with the high costs attributed to unfavourable exchange rates at the time.