Saudi Arabia raises Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj allocation to 60,000

Saudi Arabia has approved an additional 10,000 Hajj slots for Nigeria, increasing the country’s allocation for the 2027 pilgrimage from 50,000 to 60,000.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria announced the increase on Thursday in a statement by its Head of Information and Publications Division, Shafii Mohammed.

NAHCON said 7,500 of the additional slots had been allocated to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies and Commissions, while the remaining 2,500 were assigned to seven lead tour operator companies.

The commission said the additional allocation followed sustained diplomatic engagements between the Federal Government and Saudi authorities.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, thanked the Federal Government and Saudi Arabia for securing the additional places.

He said the commission would ensure that the slots were administered transparently and in accordance with Nigerian and Saudi regulations.

“The additional allocation brings Nigeria’s total Hajj allocation for the 2027 pilgrimage from 50,000 to 60,000 slots,” the commission said.

It added that the 10,000 slots represented an expansion of the country’s existing allocation rather than a redistribution of the initial 50,000 places.

The development is expected to require adjustments to NAHCON’s operational timetable as preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage continue.

The commission had earlier announced that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah required biometric data of intending pilgrims to be uploaded to the designated Nusuk-Masar platform by September 26.

NAHCON is now expected to review relevant arrangements, including the processing of pilgrims’ biometric information, following the increase in Nigeria’s allocation.