The Saudi Arabian Government has shut the door on Nigeria’s push for more 2027 Hajj slots, rejecting the Federal Government’s request for an upward review and leaving the country with a 50,000-pilgrim quota despite mounting demand from intending pilgrims nationwide.
It stated that formally engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to seek additional pilgrimage slots for Nigerian Muslims wishing to perform the annual pilgrimage.
The request was made in response to appeals from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards for increased allocations.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) disclosed this on Thursday to alert tour guides on the quota allocated to the country.
However, Saudi authorities declined the request, citing capacity limitations, structural constraints at the holy sites and the Kingdom’s policy of strict adherence to approved country quotas under the current operational framework.
Consequently, Nigeria’s allocation for the 2027 Hajj remains 35,000 slots for government pilgrims and 15,000 slots for licensed tour operators**, bringing the total quota to 50,000 pilgrims.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Ismail Abba Yusuf, said the Commission understood the disappointment the decision could cause intending pilgrims and state pilgrims’ welfare boards that had sought additional slots.
Yusuf said NAHCON had explored available diplomatic and operational channels to secure an upward review of the allocation but respected the final position of the Saudi authorities.
“We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots,” he said.
“While every effort was made to secure an upward review, the Saudi authorities have communicated their final position based on operational realities and capacity considerations.”
The NAHCON chairman urged state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and licensed tour operators to make judicious and transparent use of their approved allocations.
He also directed all stakeholders to comply strictly with timelines set by the Commission and the Saudi Nusuk platform.
Yusuf specifically warned that the deadline for uploading the details of all prospective pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj remains **September 26, 2026**, stressing that there would be no extension.
“Kindly note that the deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data remains September 26, 2026,” he said.
“We urge all partners, state pilgrim boards, tour operators and representatives to ensure that all required information is submitted before this date, as no extensions will be granted.”
For intending pilgrims unable to secure slots under the 2027 allocation, Yusuf said preparations for the subsequent pilgrimage season had already begun.
He disclosed that registration for the **2028 Hajj** had officially opened, urging those who could not obtain a 2027 slot to register for the next pilgrimage.
“Individuals who were unable to secure a slot for the upcoming Hajj are encouraged to register for the 2028 Hajj. The Commission has officially opened the registration portal for this period, and applications are now being accepted,” he said.
Yusuf reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to transparency, equity and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, assuring stakeholders that preparations for the 2027 pilgrimage were progressing.
He added that further information on operational guidelines and the implementation of the new business-to-business framework for the 2027 Hajj would be released through official NAHCON channels.
The Commission appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the approved quota system, noting that adherence to Saudi Arabia’s allocation framework is a requirement affecting participating countries and is intended to ensure orderly pilgrimage operations.