The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has opened registration for the 2028 Hajj after Saudi Arabia rejected Nigeria’s request for additional slots for the 2027 pilgrimage.
The development means Nigeria’s approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj remains at 50,000 pilgrims, comprising 35,000 government-sponsored pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed tour operators.
NAHCON said it had engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over calls for an increase in Nigeria’s allocation, particularly following growing demand from intending pilgrims and requests from state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
However, Saudi authorities reportedly cited capacity limitations and structural constraints at the holy sites, as well as the Kingdom’s policy of maintaining approved country quotas, in declining the request.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, acknowledged that the decision could disappoint intending pilgrims and state pilgrimage authorities that had anticipated additional slots.
He said the Commission had explored available diplomatic and operational channels to secure an upward review but would respect the decision of the Saudi authorities.
With the 2027 quota now fixed, NAHCON has urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to ensure that their allocations are managed transparently and that all required pilgrims’ information is submitted within the stipulated timeframe.
The Commission reiterated that September 26, 2026, remains the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data for the 2027 Hajj through the required systems, including the Saudi Nusuk platform, and warned that there would be no extension.
Meanwhile, Nigerians unable to obtain slots for the 2027 pilgrimage have been advised to consider the 2028 Hajj, with NAHCON confirming that registration for the subsequent pilgrimage season has commenced.
The Commission said preparations for the 2027 Hajj are progressing and that additional information on operational guidelines and the implementation of the new business-to-business framework would be released through its official channels.
