Nigeria’s request for additional slots for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage has been turned down by Saudi Arabia, leaving the country with an approved allocation of 50,000 pilgrims.
The allocation comprises 35,000 slots for government-sponsored pilgrims and another 15,000 slots for pilgrims travelling through licensed tour operators.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the Commission, it had approached the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to seek an increase in Nigeria’s allocation following growing demand from prospective pilgrims.
The request also followed appeals from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards, which had sought additional spaces to accommodate more Nigerians wishing to undertake the pilgrimage.
NAHCON said the Saudi authorities declined the request because of capacity limitations, structural constraints at the holy sites and the need to maintain approved country quotas under the existing operational framework.
The Commission said the Saudi decision represents the final position on Nigeria’s request for an upward review of the allocation.
NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ismail Yusuf, acknowledged the disappointment the decision could cause intending pilgrims, state pilgrims’ welfare boards and other stakeholders.
He said the Commission understood the desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform the pilgrimage but noted that the Saudi authorities had based their decision on operational and capacity considerations.
“While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity consideration,” Yusuf said.
NAHCON sets September 26 deadline
Following the decision, the NAHCON chairman urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to ensure that the approved allocations are handled transparently and efficiently.
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He also directed stakeholders to comply with deadlines set by the Commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.
Yusuf specifically reminded stakeholders that the deadline for uploading the data of prospective pilgrims remains September 26, 2026.
He warned that the deadline would not be extended and urged all state pilgrimage boards, tour operators and other representatives to submit the required information before the cut-off date.
“We urge all partners, state pilgrimage boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted,” he said.
With Saudi Arabia maintaining the existing quota, Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj arrangements will proceed on the basis of the 50,000 approved slots unless the authorities announce a subsequent review.