2026 Hajj: States, tour operators demand more slots for Nigerians
Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards in states and tour operators have called on the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to review the 50,000 Hajj slots allocated to Nigeria for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
They demanded that the 66,910 slots allocated to Nigeria for the 2025 hajj be restored to accommodate more pilgrims.
The stakeholders made the request on Thursday during a meeting with the Saudi Arabian advanced team led by Ghassan Al-Nuaimi.
The meeting was held ahead of the official visit of the hajj and umrah minister, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabbiah, scheduled for February 3.
Aliyu Usman, the chairman of Yobe Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, lamented that the hajj slots reduction would deny many Nigerians the opportunity for pilgrimage.
Ustaz Khidir Usaefat, CEO of Ar-rahama for hajj and umrah, also described the Hajj quota allocated to Nigerian pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj as inadequate.
“Now we are given 69 pilgrims per company, which is very low. Last year, we were given 150 pilgrims per company, and despite that, most of us still bought more. I heard that we have a company that has also purchased more than 300 additional slots to meet its passengers.
“So, this is cause for serious alarm because most of the tour operators will go into serious shortage and debt. We just expect the Minister of Hajj and Umrah to help us,” he said.
Musodiq Oladepo, CEO of KOB Travels and Tours Ltd, also lamented the reduction in slots.
“We have an initial downgrade from 95,000 to 66,910, only to go down again to 50,000. To the tour operators, this is a great challenge because many of us have gone ahead based on the initial allocation of 66,910 to pay for accommodation and flight tickets, in preparation for the number.
“Now that it’s been scaled down to 50,000, they have to cut down the number of slots given to each and every tour operator,” stated Mr Oladepo.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies
She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”
Education
Tinubu upgrades Nasarawa poly to university
Mr Onanuga said the approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Aliyu, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
Lagos
Lagos govt signs agreement to automate vehicle registration
Mr Osiyemi said the initiative would simplify and speed up vehicle registration by eliminating cumbersome processes.
States
Three rescued, one body recovered as building collapses in Kano
The PRO attributed the collapse to the use of poor and substandard building materials.
NationWide
FG calls for stronger African collaboration to combat illicit wealth, transnational corruption
Mr Fagbemi added that the recovery and transparent management of proceeds of crime remained a key pillar of the country’s anti-corruption policy.
Heading 2
FG reiterates commitment to ensuring safe return of Nigerians from South Africa
“The last evacuation flight, which is expected to bring home approximately 300 of our nationals, is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week,” Mr Ebienfa said.
