Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage has increased from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims after Saudi Arabia approved an additional 10,000 slots for the country.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the development on Thursday, October 1, following what it described as sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments.
The latest approval represents a reversal of Saudi Arabia’s earlier decision in September to maintain Nigeria’s 2027 allocation at 50,000 pilgrims.
Saudi Arabia Approves 10,000 Additional Slots
According to NAHCON, the additional 10,000 slots will expand Nigeria’s existing allocation, bringing the total number of Nigerian pilgrims permitted to participate in the 2027 Hajj to 60,000.
The commission said the additional slots have already been distributed between state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and licensed private tour operators.
Of the 10,000 new slots, 7,500 have been allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, while the remaining 2,500 slots will go to seven lead tour operator companies.
NAHCON said the additional allocation does not replace the existing quota but represents an expansion of the previously approved 50,000 slots.
NAHCON Thanks Nigerian and Saudi Governments
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi Arabian authorities for approving the additional allocation.
The commission also thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for their cooperation with Nigeria.
Yusuf described the development as a reflection of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and the cooperation between both countries in facilitating the Hajj journey for Nigerian Muslims.
The NAHCON chairman also assured Nigerians that the additional slots would be administered transparently and in accordance with applicable Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations.
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.
Nigeria Had Earlier Been Denied More Slots
The latest development comes less than two weeks after Saudi Arabia initially rejected Nigeria’s request for an increase in its 2027 Hajj quota.
On September 17, NAHCON announced that Saudi authorities had declined the request, citing operational and capacity considerations.
At the time, Nigeria’s approved allocation remained at 50,000 pilgrims, comprising 35,000 slots for government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed private tour operators.
NAHCON had urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards and licensed tour operators to work within the existing allocation and comply with the deadlines established for the 2027 Hajj preparations.
However, further diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia subsequently resulted in the additional allocation.
The Guardian reported that NAHCON Chairman Ismail Abba Yusuf described the additional allocation as an “Independence gift” to Nigerian Muslim pilgrims.
Additional Slots Expand Opportunities for Nigerian Pilgrims
The increase means an additional 10,000 Nigerians will be able to participate in the 2027 pilgrimage, subject to the relevant registration, payment, documentation and regulatory requirements.
For state pilgrims’ welfare authorities, the 7,500 additional slots provide room to accommodate more intending pilgrims who were not covered by the initial allocation.
The 2,500 slots assigned to the seven lead tour operators will similarly expand the number of pilgrims who can travel through licensed private operators.
NAHCON said the additional allocation would be handled in accordance with the operational requirements of both countries.
The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Hajj remains affordable and accessible to Nigerians while maintaining standards in service delivery, accountability and regulatory compliance.
Early Registration Remains Important
The development comes as preparations for the 2027 Hajj continue under an increasingly digitised system administered in cooperation with Saudi authorities.
NAHCON had previously informed stakeholders that Saudi Arabia required the biometric information of intending Nigerian pilgrims to be uploaded through the designated Nusuk-Masar platform.
The commission has emphasised the importance of meeting registration and documentation deadlines as preparations for the pilgrimage progress.
With the national allocation now increased to 60,000, state pilgrims’ welfare boards and licensed tour operators will have to adjust their arrangements to accommodate the additional pilgrims.
NAHCON said it would continue working with relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and Nigerian stakeholders to ensure a coordinated Hajj operation.
NAHCON Pledges Transparent Administration
The commission said the additional slots would be administered “judiciously” and transparently, with full compliance with Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations.
It also reaffirmed its responsibility to safeguard the welfare and dignity of Nigerian pilgrims throughout the Hajj process.
The commission's announcement provides a significant increase over the quota that was in place only a few weeks earlier.
Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj allocation now stands at 60,000 pilgrims, following Saudi Arabia’s approval of the additional 10,000 slots.
The development is expected to ease some of the pressure created by demand for Hajj slots among Nigerian Muslims and give state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and approved private operators additional capacity for the 2027 pilgrimage.
NAHCON said it would continue coordinating with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders as preparations for the pilgrimage progress.
