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Saudi Arabia grants Nigeria additional 10,000 slots for 2027 Hajj
Nigeria has secured an additional 10,000 slots for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage, increasing the country’s total allocation from 50,000 to 60,000 pilgrims.
The additional slots granted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will provide an opportunity for more intending Nigerian pilgrims to participate in next year’s pilgrimage.
The development is expected to benefit prospective pilgrims who were unable to secure spaces under the initial allocation and may help ease pressure on the existing quota.
It also provides another opportunity for intending pilgrims who may have lost hope after the September 26 deadline earlier set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the submission of travel documents.
Although NAHCON has not formally announced a new deadline for travel document submission, the increase in the national allocation is expected to necessitate an adjustment to the timeline to accommodate the additional pilgrims.
NAHCON announced the additional allocation on Thursday, saying it followed sustained high-level diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments.
Of the 10,000 additional slots, 7,500 will be allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, while 2,500 will be distributed among seven lead licensed Hajj tour operators.
The new allocation brings the total number of Nigerian pilgrims permitted to participate in the 2027 Hajj to 60,000, expanding the spaces available through both the state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and approved private tour operators.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities for the additional allocation.
He particularly acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support for the Hajj sector and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, as well as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and his deputy, Dr Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat.
Yusuf said the additional slots reflected the longstanding relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia and the cooperation between both countries in facilitating the pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.
He assured that the additional allocation would be administered transparently and in accordance with Nigerian and Saudi regulations, in collaboration with state pilgrims’ welfare authorities and licensed private tour operators.
The NAHCON chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to making Hajj affordable and accessible to Nigerians while maintaining standards in service delivery, regulatory compliance, accountability and operational efficiency.
He said the commission would continue working with Saudi authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of the 2027 pilgrimage and safeguard the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
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