Nigeria has set the cost of next year's pilgrimage. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced approved fares for the 2027 Hajj, with prices ranging from 7,560,822 naira to 7,882,822 naira depending on where a pilgrim departs from. The commission published the figures through its official channels on Friday, August 14, 2026, opening a fresh planning window for the many thousands of Nigerians who join the pilgrimage each year.
What the new fares cost
NAHCON divided the country into three departure zones, each with its own fare. According to the commission, pilgrims travelling from the Maiduguri and Yola zones will pay 7,560,822 naira, the lowest of the three. Pilgrims from the Northern Zone will pay 7,672,822 naira. Those departing from the Southern Zone will pay 7,882,822 naira, the highest fare among the designated zones.
The differences reflect airlift distances and logistics costs from each region. The figures represent the full pilgrimage cost, covering airfare, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transport within Saudi Arabia, and the mandatory service package required by Saudi authorities.
State pilgrims' welfare boards have begun passing the fares on to intending pilgrims. In the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Muslim Pilgrims' Welfare Board fixed its fare at 7,672,822 naira, in line with the Northern Zone figure. The board's director, Malam Kadiri Edah, told reporters in Abuja that pilgrims who had deposited a minimum of 7,500,000 naira should now settle their balances.
Deadlines pilgrims must meet
The commission attached firm dates to the announcement. NAHCON set September 26, 2026, as the final deadline for the complete upload of intending pilgrims' biometric data on the Nusuk-Masar digital platform, the Saudi system that now governs pilgrim registration and service contracting.
NAHCON also directed all states to complete the remittance of 2027 Hajj fares by December 2, 2026. The commission warned that no extension would be granted beyond that date, a signal that it wants payment and documentation settled well ahead of the season rather than in the final weeks.
At the FCT board, officials set an even earlier local deadline. Balance payments must be made by bank draft, payable to the FCT Muslim Pilgrims' Welfare Board, on or before September 25, 2026, the stated closing date for registration. The board advised pilgrims who have not yet submitted international passports to do so immediately or risk forfeiting their slots.
Documents and requirements
The FCT board listed the paperwork every pilgrim must provide. International passports must remain valid through October 2027. Pilgrims must also submit a photocopy of their National Identification Number slip, four recent passport photographs, and a completed guarantor's form, among other requirements.
The early fare release fits a wider pattern this year. Saudi Arabia opened its 2027 Hajj planning cycle earlier than in previous seasons, holding coordination meetings with Hajj offices from more than 75 countries and restructuring its service packages. National commissions such as NAHCON have responded by publishing costs and deadlines months in advance, giving pilgrims more time to save, arrange documents, and secure slots.
Practical tips for intending pilgrims
Pilgrims planning for 2027 should confirm which departure zone applies to them, since the fare varies by region. Settle any outstanding balance before your state board's local deadline rather than the national one, as several boards have set earlier cut-off dates. Check that your international passport is valid through at least October 2027, and gather your NIN slip, passport photographs, and guarantor's form now to avoid last-minute delays. Keep proof of every payment, and confirm that your biometric data has been captured on the Nusuk-Masar platform before September 26, 2026.