Saudi Arabia has granted Nigeria an additional 10,000 Hajj slots for the 2027 season, lifting the country's quota to 60,000 after weeks of diplomatic effort. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the approval on October 1, 2026, reversing an earlier Saudi decision to hold the allocation at 50,000.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf announced the increase, saying it followed diplomatic engagements between Nigeria's Federal Government, the commission and Saudi authorities. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah communicated the approval earlier in the week, according to the commission.

A Reversal After an Earlier Rejection

The additional slots mark a turnaround from the position Saudi authorities took in mid-September. On September 17, 2026, the Kingdom declined Nigeria's request for more places, leaving the quota at 50,000 for the third year running.

Nigeria's allocation has shifted significantly over the past two decades. The country held around 95,000 slots for nearly 20 years before the figure was reduced to 50,000 for the 2025 season, a level that was carried into 2026 and initially set for 2027 as well. The new approval of 10,000 extra places restores part of that lost capacity.

Ambassador Yusuf acknowledged the role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration in securing the increase, and credited Saudi officials including Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, for approving the request.

Quota allocations are set by Saudi Arabia for every country that sends pilgrims, and the numbers are closely watched because demand consistently outstrips supply. For a country as populous as Nigeria, home to one of the largest Muslim populations in Africa, even a 10,000-place increase translates into thousands of families who may now make the journey in 2027. The commission framed the approval as the product of sustained engagement rather than a one-off concession.

How the Extra Slots Will Be Shared

According to NAHCON, the additional 10,000 places will be divided between the public and private pilgrimage channels:

  • 7,500 slots will go to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, agencies and commissions.
  • 2,500 slots will be allocated to seven lead tour operator companies.

The split broadly mirrors Nigeria's existing structure. Of the original 50,000 places, 35,000 were assigned to states and the armed forces, while 15,000 went to private tour operators. The new distribution keeps the balance tilted toward the state pilgrim boards that handle the bulk of Nigerian pilgrims.

Keeping Hajj Affordable

Ambassador Yusuf said the commission would ensure that Hajj "remains affordable and accessible to Nigerians, while maintaining high standards." The statement comes as Nigerian pilgrims, like those from many countries, face rising costs tied to accommodation, transport and currency pressures.

The approval arrives shortly after NAHCON closed its 2027 Hajj registration at a September 26 deadline. The commission has not yet announced whether the additional capacity will prompt a reopening of registration or how prospective pilgrims who missed the earlier window might access the new places.

Practical Tips for Nigerian Pilgrims

Nigerians hoping to benefit from the expanded quota should take a few practical steps:

  • Stay in touch with your state pilgrims board. With 7,500 of the new slots routed through state boards, agencies and commissions, these offices are the first point of contact for most intending pilgrims.
  • Verify tour operators. If going through a private company, confirm it is among the lead operators formally recognised by NAHCON before making any payment.
  • Watch for official NAHCON announcements. Any decision on reopening registration or reallocating the extra places will come through the commission, not through informal channels.
  • Prepare documents early. Keep passports, biometric details and payment records ready so you can act quickly if additional registration opens.

NAHCON is expected to publish further guidance on the distribution and timeline in the coming weeks. Intending pilgrims are advised to rely only on official commission and state board communications for confirmed details.