Nigeria Hajj And Umrah Special Info

10/15/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Tawaf App, Danliti Tela, Abubakar Isa Baggio Nafada, Zulaihatu Bage, Fatimah Muhammad, Auwal Abba Koli, Dauda Hamidu Mb Alkali

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10/14/2025

10/14/2025

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Mujiburrahman Aminu, Sadam Ahmadu, Ibrahim Ridwan, Umar Farouq, Maitama Sa'ad Amsad, Umar A Abdullahi, Abubakar Hussaini Jega, Musa Mustapha Manja, Ibrahim Murtala Daura, Mohammad Nazif Umar Lau, OtunbaSalaaty Anabulusy Haqqullah, Sarkin Yaki Ne, Muhammad Jalal Na'ayya

10/09/2025

The Chairman of NAHCON has refuted allegations of corruption against him, attributing them to the malicious efforts of saboteurs. He stated that he declined to collaborate with their nefarious scheme against the corporation.

10/08/2025

EFCC Interrogates NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Pakistan, Over Alleged Multi-Billion Naira Fraud

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are currently interrogating the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, over alleged fraud.

Sources at the EFCC said Mr Pakistan arrived at the anti-graft headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday around 12 pm.

Another source said the Hajj commission boss was accompanied to the EFCC by a personal lawyer Kazeem Atetebi.

Sources within the EFCC confirmed to this newspaper that Mr Pakistan was still at the anti-corruption headquarters in Abuja at the time of publishing this report.

The NAHCON chief is being investigated over alleged financial misconduct running into billions of naira.

Some of the NAHCON issues under investigation include the alleged squandering of N25 billion on Masha’ir extra bed space, N1.6 billion on NAHCON staff spouses, and N8 billion on Makkah contingency bed spaces.

There is also the alleged extra-budgetary spending of over 300 per cent of his approved budget; N25 billion expended on officials, staff, and board members; N1.4 billion as allowances of committees; and the mismanagement of Madinah bed spaces from 11,000 to 18,000 for 41,000 pilgrims.

This newspaper reports that Mr Pakistan was scheduled to appear before the anti-graft agency on Wednesday, 17 September 2025.

However, he requested an extension to travel to Saudi Arabia, and the hearing was rescheduled to 2 October 2025. Nonetheless, he did not attend on that day after returning from Saudi Arabia.

According to security sources at the Presidency, Mr Pakistan was at the Presidential Villa for a meeting with Vice President Kashim and NAHCON chiefs on Monday, 6 October 2025, where the Vice President directed the commission to reduce the 2026 Hajj fares.

Upon seeing Mr Pakistan, VP Shettima, according to security sources, directed the NAHCON boss to proceed to the EFCC to respond to their invitation. Mr Pakistan, however, refused to go; instead, he attended an International Forum of Saudi Graduates event held in Abuja, in open defiance to the VP’s order.

The anti-corruption agency has detained and questioned top officers of the commission to date.

Days earlier, Mr Pakistan had granted an interview to an Islamic online blog, where he was seen calling the bluff of the EFCC, saying that he was not afraid of the anti-graft agency because it cannot prove its allegations against him.

On September 16, 2025, the NAHCON Secretary, Dr Mustapha Muhammad Ali, was grilled by the EFCC and released on bail over the corruption allegations.

Earlier, the EFCC detained and grilled the Commissioner, Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF), Aliu Abdulrazak; Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal; directors, deputy and assistant directors, special advisers to the chairman, among others.

Mr Pakistan has been dodging his appearance at the EFCC headquarters, according to EFCC sources. “His people have reached out to me, pleading that I should intervene to cancel the invitation. I told them plainly that the current EFCC leadership under Mr Ola Olukoyede is a no-nonsense fella. I also said that besides, Islam abhors corruption, particularly when it concerns Hajj-related matters,” the anti-graft official said.

This newspaper noted that some board members and staff of NAHCON were pleased with the development. “We are happy because justice is about to be served for dragging the name of the Hajj commission into the mud through unprecedented (alleged) sleaze of public funds,” one of the officials said.

The staff have commended the EFCC for taking the bold step of addressing drift in the commission triggered by the alleged ongoing financial recklessness by its incumbent leadership.

They said President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima “should act fast by removing NAHCON chairman and the secretary from office to allow an unbiased and unfettered investigation.”

The NAHCON officers said, “allowing Professor Pakistan and Dr Ali to remain in office will jeopardise the fraud probe.”

10/07/2025

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Tinubu Orders Reduction Of 2026 Hajj Fare

*As VP Shettima gives NAHCON 2 days to effect president's directive

Following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an immediate review of the 2026 Hajj fares, Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to come up with new fares for the exercise within two days.

This, the Vice President said, had become necessary considering continued appreciation of the naira against the dollar - a primary determinant for the pilgrimage fares.

VP Shettima who handed down the President's directive on Monday during a meeting with management and board members of NAHCON at the Presidential Villa, called for synergy among national and state officials, including state Governors, in streamlining and adopting a new set of fares for the exercise.

He aslo urged prompt action by all stakeholders to ensure quick payments and timely remittances to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate a hitch-free exercise.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting with the VP, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, said the meeting convened at the instance of the Vice President was to finalise preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations, particularly the determination of fares for the 2026 exercise.

He explained that the goal is to reduce the amount payable by pilgrims for the exercise, given the current trend in the economy occasioned by ongoing reforms being undertaken by the Tinubu administration.

He said, "Rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating based on the effects of the economic reforms of the government. The Vice President felt that if pilgrims paid ₦8.5 million to ₦8.6 million based on negative exchange rate last year, and the exchange rate has improved, then the changes should reflect in the current fares, and the benefits should also be passed to the prospective pilgrims.

"So, the commissions and all officers of the Hajj commission are here and they have been told to immediately go to look at more realistic exchange rates. If we achieve what we envisage, then we will have a very significant reduction in the Hajj."

On his part, Secretary of the National Hajj commission (NAHCON), Dr Mustapha Mohammad, said the President's directive would increase the number of intending pilgrims for this year’s exercise.

"It is a welcome development and the lower the Hajj fare, the better for Muslim faithful intending to perform Hajj. So, as directed by the Vice President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to see that we reduce it to the barest minimum and affordable rate for every Muslim faithful to have the opportunity to perform this very important pillar of Islam."

Also, the Chairman, Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Deputy Chairman, Forum of the Chief Executive of 36 and the FCT Chairmen of pilgrims Board, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu Yaro, expressed delight with the presidential directive.

"We are very happy because the President and the Vice President have already intervened. We thank God for what they have said, which is expected to bring down the cost of Hajj fare. So, we are happy," he said

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications
(Office of The Vice President)
6th October, 2025

10/07/2025

BREAKING: Tinubu Orders Reduction Of 2026 Hajj Fare. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate review of the 2026 Hajj fares.

10/05/2025

Eminent Pakistani scholar Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Siddiq, who devoted over 60 years to teaching the Holy Quran at Masjid Nabawi, has passed away. His funeral prayers were held at the holy mosque, and he was laid to rest in Jannat al-Baqi, leaving behind a global legacy of thousands of students and a lifetime dedicated to Islamic knowledge and service.

09/27/2025

Analysis: 2026 Hajj Fare Should be N6.8 Million
By Ibrahim Muhammad
National Coordinator
Independent Hajj Reporters

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced the final fare for Hajj 2026 for Nigerian intending pilgrims on Saturday.

According to the commission, pilgrims from the Southern part of the country will pay N8,561,013.67, while their counterparts from the north are to pay N8,244,813.67. Those from the north-eastern axis, comprising Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, are to pay N8,118,333.67 for 2026 Hajj services.

NAHCON arrived at the fares after consulting with the Forum of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards. The differentials are derived from the cost of air tickets to and from Saudi Arabia.

Last year, pilgrims from the Northern part of the country paid N8,457,685.59, while those from the South paid N8,784,085.59. Pilgrims from the Borno axis paid N8,327,125.59.

There is a reduction of about N218,000 to N220,000 from what was paid in 2025 compared to the 2026 Hajj fare. This is a commendable feat by the Commission.

I applaud NAHCON for announcing the 2026 Hajj fare early, paving the way for proper planning and creating certainty in the payment of the Hajj fare by intending pilgrims.

However, has NAHCON concluded the cost of pilgrims' accommodation in Makkah and Madinah? Has there been a fixed amount for catering services in Makkah and Madinah? Have airlines agreed to stick with last year’s cost of an air ticket, or is there any agreed adjustment in costs?

The 2026 Hajj fare has an increase of about N3.6 million compared to the 2024 Hajj fare. This can be attributed to the assets and liabilities. The 2026 Hajj fare has added assets compared to the 2025 Hajj cost, while the 2026 Hajj fare is a product of liabilities compared to the 2024 Hajj fare.

During the 2024 Hajj, pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern part paid N4,899,000 as Hajj fare; those from the Northern part paid N4,699,000, while Yola and Maiduguri paid N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj.

Excluding the N90 billion subsidy provided by the federal government, each pilgrim benefited from about N1 million.

The 2025 Hajj cost indices comprised 25 Hajj services. Eleven services were tabulated at the value of N1,600,000 to $1 US dollars, although the forex stood at N1,520 to 1$ when the 2025 Hajj services were paid for.

What is the exchange rate used to tabulate the 2026 Hajj fare, and how much is the BTA for 2026 Hajj pilgrims?

The 2025 Hajj pilgrims were paid $500, with each pilgrim paying N800,000 for the BTA. What is the BTA equivalent in dollars and naira?

As of today, the forex stands at N1,492 to $1. This means that the dollar rate for the 2026 Hajj is lower than the 2025 Hajj.

The total US dollar component in the 2025 Hajj fare is $4,622. The dollar component should be N6,872,266.92 if the same amount is converted based on the current exchange rate of N1,492 to the USD.

The local components of the 2025 Hajj fare are N36,000, which includes NAHCON’s administrative charges, Development levy, uniforms, Yellow card, States' admin charges, and Registration forms.

If all domestic services remain the same and there are no increases in the dollar-based services in Saudi Arabia, the 2026 Hajj fare should be N6,857,398.32 plus the N36,000 local components, which is N6,893,398.

Unless the system adopts another anticipatory higher exchange rate, as happened last year.

The projection is based on my experience that all Hajj services have been captured under the Hajj fare template, and even the BTA is announced along with its naira equivalent - at least that is what is obtained when Uba Mana served as Head of Media in NAHCON.

09/15/2025

Minor Shake-up in NAHCON; Board Approves Reforms

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced a minor shake-up in its workforce following the resolution of its Board at its 14th sitting held between 26th and 27th August 2025.

Hence, inline with the Board's resolve, the Commission's executive arm has effected the reposting of pool officers back to their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies with immediate effect. Accordingly, the affected officers were issued with letters on Thursday 4th September, 2025.

The Board’s decision was taken primarily to eliminate redundancy and reposition the Commission for enhanced effective and efficient service delivery. This step was also taken to motivate staff towards higher performance.

To support the ongoing reforms, the Board approved the promotion of some deserving officers. It also approved Capacity Building Programs for the entire staff aimed at equipping employees with requisite skills to achieve the organizational objectives of the Commission.

Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman has assured that the 5th Board would do everything necessary to build an effective and resilient workforce dedicated to fulfilling NAHCON’s statutory responsibilities in the service of Nigerian pilgrims. Similarly, NAHCON will continue to introduce other reforms for enhanced productivity.

Fatima Sanda Usara,
Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations Officer
For, Chairman/CEO
NAHCON