Hajj 2027: Saudi Arabia rejects Nigeria’s bid for more slots

In 2027, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has refused Nigeria's request for an increased quota of Hajj slots, leaving the country's allocation unchanged at 50,000 pilgrims. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had formally requested additional pilgrimage slots from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to accommodate the growing number of Nigerian Muslims seeking to perform the sacred journey.

However, Saudi authorities cited capacity limitations and structural constraints within the holy sites, adhering to the policy of respecting country quotas. Nigeria's allocation for 2027 Hajj remains at 35,000 slots for government pilgrims and 15,000 for licensed tour operators. NAHCON Chairman Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf expressed disappointment among many intending pilgrims and state boards but acknowledged the final decision of the Saudi authorities.

He urged stakeholders to use their approved allocations judiciously and emphasized the importance of meeting the September 26, 2026 deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims' data. He also encouraged intending pilgrims unable to secure a slot for 2027 to register for the subsequent 2028 Hajj.