The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has applauded President Bola Tinubu for his directive to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to review and reduce the 2026 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims.
The civil society organization also appealed to the President to instruct the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to peg the exchange rate for the 2026 Hajj at ₦1,000 to one US dollar in order to further ease the financial burden on Nigerian pilgrims.
The commendation follows Vice President Kashim Shettima’s announcement in Abuja on Monday, conveying President Tinubu’s directive to NAHCON’s management team. The Vice President explained that the downward review became necessary due to the steady appreciation of the naira against the US dollar, which largely determines the cost of pilgrimage.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, the IHR described the President’s intervention as “most commendable,” adding that it reflects Tinubu’s sensitivity to the welfare and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.
“What the President has done is highly commendable and clearly shows that, as he always says, he feels the pulse of ordinary citizens at all times,” the statement read.
The group noted that its earlier analysis had indicated that the over ₦8 million Hajj fare announced by NAHCON was unreasonably high and did not reflect the current foreign exchange realities.
IHR further urged the federal government to build on the President’s directive by ensuring that the CBN adopts a concessionary exchange rate for pilgrims participating in Hajj 2026.
“We appeal to President Tinubu to direct the CBN to peg the exchange rate for the 2026 Hajj at ₦1,000 to the US dollar. Since about 85 percent of Hajj transactions are carried out in dollars, a concessionary rate will significantly reduce costs and align with the President’s directive,” the group added.
The organization emphasized that implementing a favorable exchange rate would encourage more Nigerians to participate in the sacred exercise and enable the country to fully utilize its allocated Hajj slots.