Intending Nigerian pilgrims hoping for a last-minute expansion of the 2027 Hajj quota have been dealt a blow. The Saudi Arabian government has officially turned down Nigeria’s request for additional slots, leaving the country with its original allocation of 50,000 pilgrims.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the development on Thursday. According to the commission, they had engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to push for more spots due to the overwhelming interest from Nigerians and pressure from various state pilgrims’ welfare boards.
However, the Saudi authorities stood their ground. They cited strict capacity limits at holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of maintaining fixed quotas for each country as the primary reasons for the rejection. NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Yusuf, noted that while the commission explored every diplomatic channel to secure an increase, they must respect the Saudi government's final decision.
The commission has issued a stern warning regarding the upcoming deadlines. All state boards and tour operators must upload the details of their prospective pilgrims to the Saudi Nusuk platform no later than September 26, 2026. Ambassador Yusuf clarified that there will be absolutely no extensions to this date, regardless of the circumstances.
For those who missed out on the 2027 slots, the commission is already looking ahead. Registration for the 2028 Hajj exercise is now officially open, and interested individuals are encouraged to apply early to avoid disappointment. Meanwhile, the 50,000 approved slots for 2027 are split between 35,000 for government pilgrims and 15,000 for private tour operators.
Source: punchng.com
photo: wikipedia
