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

The directive was disclosed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, while briefing State House Correspondents after a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

NAHCON had earlier pegged the 2026 Hajj fares as follows:Maiduguri-Yola Zone (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba): ₦8,318,336.67; Northern States: ₦8,244,813.67; and Southern States: ₦8,561,013.67

However, Hadeija said the President and Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, considered the fares too high and urged the commission to adopt a more realistic exchange rate, given the naira’s recent appreciation.

 “The fares were based on a pessimistic exchange rate of ₦1,550 to the dollar,” Hadeija explained. “With the naira strengthening due to ongoing economic reforms, the Vice-President directed NAHCON to recalculate the fares to reflect the improved rate.”

He noted that the new fares could fall between ₦7.6 million and ₦7.7 million, depending on quick remittances from State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to enable early dollar purchases through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Hadeija assured that the final figures would be announced within two days, adding that the adjustment would provide significant relief for intending pilgrims.

In his reaction, the Chairman of the Kebbi Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruk Yaro, expressed gratitude to the President and Vice-President for their intervention, describing it as “timely and people-centered.”

Also speaking, NAHCON Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Mohammad, said the development was commendable, noting that a lower fare would enable more Muslims to fulfill the religious obligation.

“We will work tirelessly to ensure the new rate is affordable and within the reach of more intending pilgrims,” he assured.