By Charles Maduka
President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to immediately review and reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj fares recently announced by the commission.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadeija, disclosed this after a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He explained that the fares, which ranged from N8.24 million to N8.56 million depending on the zone, were based on a pessimistic exchange rate of N1,550 per dollar. With the naira appreciating, the president felt the benefits should be passed to pilgrims.
Hadeija said the vice-president convened the meeting to explore ways of lowering the fares and urged NAHCON to adopt more realistic exchange rates. He noted that if adjustments are made quickly, the fares could drop to between N7.6 million and N7.7 million. He added that faster payment by state pilgrim boards would also help the commission secure foreign exchange at better rates.
The chairman of the Kebbi Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruk Yaro, expressed gratitude to Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima for the intervention, which he said would ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
NAHCON Secretary, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, also welcomed the directive, saying the commission would work to bring the fares down so more Muslims can perform the pilgrimage.
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