The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has hinted on a slash in camp slots for Nigerian pilgrims by Saudi authorities ahead of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
They also warned that the reduction could significantly limit participation next year.
The commission disclosed in a statement on Thursday titled “NAHCON, States Discuss Hajj Costing and Other Critical Issues; Ministry Briefs NAHCON on Tour Operators.”
The statement, signed by NAHCON Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Usara, noted that only 66,910 accommodation slots had been approved on Saudi Arabia’s NUSUK Masar portal, despite Nigeria’s official allocation of 95,000.
According to NAHCON, “the Mashair space reserved for Nigeria’s pilgrims on the NUSUK Masar portal is actually 66,910 slots for the 2026 Hajj. The implication of this is that while 95,000 slots were allocated to Nigeria, the actual number that can participate in the 2026 Hajj is 51,513 for States and all other officials, while 15,397 will go to licensed tour operators.”
The reduction, the commission explained, was imposed as a penalty by Saudi authorities following Nigeria’s underutilisation of its quota during the 2025 pilgrimage.
