By Ado Oyeyemi
Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj quota has been increased to 60,000 following the allocation of an additional 10,000 pilgrimage slots by Saudi Arabia.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, announced the development in a statement issued by its Head of Information and Publications, Shafii Mohammed.
According to the commission, 7,500 of the newly approved slots will go to state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions, while seven lead tour operators will share the remaining 2,500.
The latest approval represents a 20 per cent increase over Nigeria’s original quota of 50,000 pilgrims for the 2027 pilgrimage.
Reacting to the development, the NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, thanked the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities for approving the additional slots.
Yusuf assured that the commission would ensure that the new allocation was distributed and managed transparently, in accordance with the relevant rules and operational procedures guiding Hajj arrangements in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
He said the development further demonstrated the strong ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, adding that NAHCON remained committed to improving access to the pilgrimage while ensuring accountability.
The commission also said it would continue to coordinate with the Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to facilitate a smooth 2027 Hajj and safeguard the interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
Prior to the latest increase, Nigeria had been allocated 50,000 slots, comprising 35,000 for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 for pilgrims travelling through licensed tour operators.
NAHCON had earlier said intending pilgrims were required to complete biometric enrolment on the designated Nusuk-Masar platform by September 26 as part of preparations for the pilgrimage.
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The commission is expected to review its preparations and operational timetable following the additional allocation, particularly in areas concerning documentation and biometric registration.
