Saudi Arabia has turned down Nigeria’s appeal for an upward review of its 2027 Hajj quota, keeping the country’s allocation at 50,000 pilgrims for next year’s pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, explaining that it had engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah over additional slots to accommodate growing interest among intending Nigerian pilgrims and requests from state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
The commission said the Saudi authorities based their decision on capacity challenges, structural limitations at the holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of retaining approved quotas for individual countries under the current operational arrangement.
“Saudi authorities communicated their inability to grant additional slots, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints within the holy sites, and the Kingdom’s policy of strict adherence to approved country quotas under the current operational framework,” NAHCON added.
Reacting to the decision, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Amb Ismail Yusuf, acknowledged that the development could disappoint intending pilgrims and state pilgrims’ welfare boards that had hoped for an increase.
Yusuf said the commission had pursued every available diplomatic and operational option to obtain additional slots but accepted the final position communicated by the Saudi authorities.
“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots.
“While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations,” Amb Yusuf stated.
The NAHCON chairman called on state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to ensure that their approved allocations are utilised responsibly and transparently, while adhering to all deadlines set by the commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.
He stressed that September 26, 2026, remains the deadline for submitting the details of all prospective pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj, adding that the commission would not approve any extension.
“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026. We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted.
“Individuals who were unable to secure a slot for the upcoming Hajj are encouraged to register for the 2028 Hajj. The commission has officially opened the registration portal for this period, and applications are now being accepted,” he said.
Yusuf reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to ensuring transparency, fairness and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, assuring stakeholders that preparations for the 2027 Hajj remain on course.
He further disclosed that information concerning the operational guidelines and implementation of the new business-to-business framework for the 2027 pilgrimage would be communicated through NAHCON’s official channels.
The commission appealed to stakeholders for cooperation and understanding, stressing that observing Saudi Arabia’s approved quota is an international requirement for all participating countries and remains essential to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj consequently remains fixed at 50,000 pilgrims, with 35,000 slots designated for government pilgrims and 15,000 allocated to licensed tour operators.
In accordance with directives from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, NAHCON has also fixed September 26, 2026, as the deadline for uploading the biometric information of all intending pilgrims through the designated Nusuk-Masar platform.
State authorities are expected to conclude payment of all 2027 Hajj fares by December 2, 2026.
