January 29, 2026
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has approved an additional 6,000 Hajj slots for Nigerian tour operators, expanding Nigeria’s private-sector participation in the 2026 pilgrimage.
However, industry sources have raised concerns over the financial implications of the newly released slots. According to reports obtained by Hajj gazette, the additional allocation comes at a significantly higher cost than the initial slots earlier granted to tour operators.
A tour operator disclosed that the new slots are priced far above the standard rate, with estimates suggesting the cost could be as much as three times the amount paid for the original allocation.
“The price is extremely high. These additional slots may cost threefold of what we paid earlier, potentially exceeding N15 million per pilgrim, excluding airfare,” the operator said.
The development has triggered apprehension within the private Hajj industry, as the premium pricing could limit affordability for intending pilgrims and expose operators to financial risk amid volatile exchange rates and tight payment timelines.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah nor Nigerian regulatory authorities have issued an official clarification on the pricing structure or the conditions attached to the additional slots.
Stakeholders are now calling for urgent engagement between Nigerian Hajj authorities, tour operators, and their Saudi counterparts to ensure transparency, cost moderation, and protection of pilgrims’ interests.
source: Saudi Gazette news,
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