The Lagos State Government has assured the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) of early payment of Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage, pledging to meet the December 5, 2025 remittance deadline mandated by Saudi authorities.
The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Layode, during a courtesy visit by a NAHCON delegation led by the National Commissioner for the South West, Dr. Tajudeen Abefe, on Thursday.
Layode said the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board is intensifying efforts to surpass the 1,500 slots allocated to Lagos, which has been boosted by President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive reducing the overall Hajj fare.
According to Taofeek Lawal, Public Affairs Officer, the Commissioner also addressed the issue of the 93 intending pilgrims who were denied visas during the 2025 Hajj.
He noted that the funds paid on their behalf were yet to be refunded but explained that Lagos State has written to NAHCON expressing its intention to retain the unused slots for the 2026 exercise.
He urged NAHCON to support the State in resolving the matter.
Lawal added that the Commissioner reaffirmed Lagos’ commitment to remitting all payments before the Saudi deadline, noting that the backing of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, remains pivotal to ensuring a smooth pilgrimage for intending pilgrims.
Earlier, Dr. Abefe told Lagos officials that the visit was to reinforce NAHCON’s timeline for the remittance of Hajj fares.
He highlighted that, in compliance with President Tinubu’s directive, NAHCON reduced the cost of the 2026 Hajj from ₦8,784,085.59 to ₦7,991,141.76, saving each intending pilgrim ₦792,943.83.
Despite the reduction, he warned that the time frame for completing payments remains critically tight.
He stressed that the December 5, 2025 deadline for payments to reflect in Saudi Arabia’s International Bank Account Number (IBAN) is non-negotiable, noting that unlike previous years, Saudi authorities will no longer grant extensions. Dr. Abefe explained that all payments must reach NAHCON by December 3, 2025, allowing time for onward transmission to Saudi accounts before the cut-off date.
He also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor for their continued support and interventions during the 2025 Hajj operations.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe, urged NAHCON to maintain clarity on payment deadlines, saying conflicting dates have caused confusion among intending pilgrims and stakeholders.
