Abuja, Nigeria – October 7, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed an immediate reduction in the cost of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage to reflect the recent strengthening of the naira against the US dollar — a key factor in determining Hajj expenses.
The announcement was made on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a meeting with the management and board members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Shettima said the President’s directive is aimed at ensuring Nigerian pilgrims benefit directly from the positive impact of the administration’s ongoing economic reforms.
“The strengthened naira should translate into tangible relief for our citizens,” Shettima stated, adding that the President has given NAHCON a 48-hour deadline to submit a revised, more affordable fare structure for the 2026 pilgrimage.
The directive is part of broader efforts by the Tinubu administration to make essential services more accessible amid recent improvements in key economic indicators, particularly the foreign exchange market.