Nigeria Seeks More Hajj Slots as Saudi Arabia Keeps 2027 Quota at 50,000
Independent Hajj Reporters urges Saudi Arabia to reconsider Nigeria’s request for additional places as thousands of intending pilgrims await the 2027 pilgrimage.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Independent Hajj Reporters has appealed to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to reconsider its decision to keep Nigeria’s 2027 Hajj allocation at 50,000 slots, saying thousands of intending pilgrims are waiting for an opportunity to perform the pilgrimage.
The civil society organisation made the appeal on Saturday, two days after the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) announced that Saudi Arabia had declined Nigeria’s request for an upward review of its allocation.
NAHCON said the approved 2027 quota remains 50,000 pilgrims, comprising 35,000 slots for government pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed private Hajj tour operators. The Commission said Saudi authorities cited capacity limitations, structural constraints at the holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of adhering to approved country quotas under the existing operational framework.
IHR, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, urged the Saudi authorities to reconsider the request made by NAHCON and allow Nigeria additional slots to accommodate the growing demand for the pilgrimage.
The organisation also called on Vice President Kashim Shettima to use diplomatic channels to engage the appropriate Saudi authorities on Nigeria’s request.
Nigeria had for years operated with an allocation of about 95,000 Hajj slots. NAHCON confirmed a 95,000 allocation for the 2024 pilgrimage and retained the figure for 2025 and initially for 2026.
However, the effective number of pilgrims able to participate in the 2026 Hajj was reduced after Saudi authorities limited Nigeria’s available Mashair space on the NUSUK Masar platform to 66,910 slots, with NAHCON attributing the reduction to the underutilisation of previous allocations.
In July 2026, NAHCON said it had begun diplomatic efforts to restore Nigeria’s allocation to 95,000 for the 2027 pilgrimage after about 50,000 pilgrims participated in the 2026 Hajj.
That effort has so far not secured an increase. NAHCON said the Saudi decision leaves the 2027 allocation at 50,000.
IHR said the reduction has left thousands of Nigerian intending pilgrims waiting for additional places.
The organisation said most intending pilgrims currently on the waiting list may not have another opportunity to perform Hajj if they miss the 2027 pilgrimage.
It also acknowledged the previous difficulties that contributed to Nigeria’s reduced utilisation of its Hajj allocation, particularly delays in registration and payment.
According to the organisation, those challenges have been addressed through stricter adherence to the Hajj calendar established by NAHCON and improved early registration and payment by intending pilgrims.
IHR said the reforms and greater awareness among Nigerian pilgrims should give Saudi authorities confidence that additional allocations can be utilised on time.
The organisation said improved enlightenment had also helped prospective pilgrims understand the requirements and expectations of the pilgrimage, including conduct in the Holy Land and compliance with the operational arrangements governing Hajj.
The development comes as preparations for the 2027 Hajj move into a critical registration phase.
NAHCON has reminded intending pilgrims and stakeholders that September 26, 2026 is the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data, with the Commission warning that the deadline will not be extended.
The Commission has also advised people who cannot secure a place under the approved 2027 allocation to register for the 2028 Hajj, for which registration has already opened.
The 2027 Hajj allocation therefore remains at 50,000 slots, with NAHCON’s request for additional places still under appeal by Nigerian Hajj stakeholders.
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