The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rejected Nigeria’s request for an increase in its allocation for the 2027 Hajj, leaving the country’s quota unchanged at 50,000 pilgrims.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed that it had formally approached the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to seek additional slots in response to growing demand from intending Nigerian pilgrims and requests from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
However, the Saudi authorities reportedly declined the request, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints at the holy sites and the need to maintain strict adherence to approved country quotas under the current operational framework.
Under the existing allocation, Nigeria will have 35,000 slots for government pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed tour operators, bringing the total approved quota for the country to 50,000 pilgrims.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the Commission understood the disappointment that the decision could cause among intending pilgrims and state pilgrim boards that had hoped for additional slots.
He said the Commission explored available diplomatic and operational channels to secure an upward review but would respect the final decision of the Saudi authorities.
“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots. While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations,” Yusuf said.
The NAHCON chairman urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to ensure that their approved allocations were used judiciously and transparently while complying with all deadlines set by the Commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.
He specifically reminded stakeholders that the deadline for uploading the data of prospective pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj remains September 26, 2026, stressing that there would be no extension.
“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026. We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted,” he said.
Yusuf also advised intending pilgrims who are unable to secure places under the 2027 allocation to consider registering for the 2028 Hajj.
He disclosed that NAHCON had already opened the registration portal for the 2028 pilgrimage, with applications now being accepted.
The chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, equity and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, assuring stakeholders that preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage were progressing.
He added that further information on operational guidelines and the implementation of the new business-to-business framework for the 2027 Hajj would be communicated through NAHCON’s official channels.
The Commission appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the quota arrangement, noting that adherence to Saudi-approved allocations is a global requirement for participating countries and is intended to support the orderly and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
