2027 Hajj: NAHCON Begins State Slot Allocation, Sets Payment Framework
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced the official allocation of 2027 Hajj slots to states, marking the beginning of the country’s structural preparations for next year’s pilgrimage following Saudi Arabia’s reduction of Nigeria’s Hajj quota to 50,000 pilgrims.
Under the new allocation framework, the Commission assigned 40,250 slots to State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards while reserving the remaining 9,750 slots for licensed private tour operators.
The development paves the way for states to intensify registration of intending pilgrims ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
Individual states have already begun receiving their quotas, with Gombe State allocated 987 Hajj seats under the exercise.
In an official letter dated 28 July, 2026 and addressed to the Chairman/Secretary of the Gombe State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, NAHCON directed the state to remit payment for 60 percent of its allocation, representing 592 pilgrims, into the designated Hajj Operations Bank Account on or before 26 September 2026.
The Commission said the allocation was based on the state’s previous Hajj slot utilisation.
2027 Hajj: NAHCON Begins State Slot Allocation, Sets Payment Framework
NAHCON further stated that the remaining 395 slots, representing 40 percent of Gombe State’s allocation, would be processed through the Hajj Savings Scheme account in accordance with its operational guidelines.
Payments are to be made through the RTGS-FT Platform into the Commission’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Commission also informed the state that the final fare for the 2027 Hajj would be announced after the computation of all relevant operational variables.
It noted that Hajj fares would vary across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, reflecting differences in logistics and operational costs.
The letter was signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali, on behalf of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON.
The nationwide slot allocation signals the formal commencement of preparations for the 2027 Hajj, with state pilgrims’ welfare boards expected to mobilise intending pilgrims and meet the Commission’s payment deadlines to secure their respective allocations.
