2027 Hajj: What Happens After September 26 Registration Deadline?
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
With the September 26 deadline for the completion of intending pilgrims’ registration and biometric data upload for the 2027 Hajj fast approaching, attention is shifting to what comes next for Nigeria’s Hajj administration.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has described September 26 as the final and absolute deadline for the upload of prospective pilgrims’ biometric and registration data on the Saudi-approved Nusuk-Masar platform, stressing that there will be no extension.
The deadline is tied to Saudi Arabia’s digital processing requirements for the 2027 pilgrimage and is separate from the December 2 deadline for states to complete the remittance of all Hajj fares.
NAHCON has warned that failure to meet the prescribed deadlines could result in the forfeiture of allocated Hajj slots.
The Commission has also cautioned private operators that they will bear responsibility for consequences arising from failure to upload their clients’ data before the Saudi portal closes.
What happens after the closure?
Nigeria has an approved allocation of 50,000 pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj, comprising 35,000 slots for states and the Federal Capital Territory and 15,000 slots for licensed private Hajj tour operators. Saudi Arabia recently rejected Nigeria’s request for an increase in the allocation.
2027 Hajj: What Happens After September 26 Registration Deadline?
The September 26 closure is therefore expected to provide a clearer picture of how much of the country’s approved allocation has been taken up.
Attention will then turn to the reconciliation of registered pilgrims, uploaded data and allocated slots, while states and operators continue preparations for the pilgrimage.
NAHCON has said timely remittance is also critical because data synchronisation and seat allocation depend on compliance with the financial timelines. States have until December 2, 2026, to remit all 2027 Hajj fares.
The Commission has also approved five airlines, Air Peace, Flynas, Max Air, Saudi Air and UMZA Aviation Services for the 2027 Hajj airlift, with passenger allocations and flight schedules to be worked out with states and operators.
For pilgrims unable to secure a place within the 2027 allocation, NAHCON has already opened registration for the 2028 Hajj.
The post-September 26 period will therefore mark a transition from mass registration and data capture to verification, reconciliation, payment remittance, seat allocation and broader operational preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage.
For intending pilgrims, the immediate priority remains clear: complete the required payment, registration and biometric data upload before the September 26 deadline.
