The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially turned down the Federal Government’s request for an upward review of Nigeria’s quota for the upcoming 2027 Hajj pilgrimage.

 

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) confirmed the decision on Thursday, following formal appeals sent to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. NAHCON had sought extra slots to accommodate growing demand from prospective Nigerian Muslims and state pilgrims’ welfare boards.

 

**Key Breakdown of Nigeria's 2027 Quota**

 

With the rejection, Nigeria's total allocation remains capped at 50,000 slots, distributed as follows:

 

* **State Pilgrims' Welfare Boards (Government):** 35,000 slots

* **Licensed Private Tour Operators:** 15,000 slots

* **Total Allocation:** 50,000 slots

 

**Why Saudi Arabia Declined the Request**

 

According to Saudi authorities, the request could not be granted due to operational constraints, including:

 

* Capacity limitations and structural space constraints at the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.

* The imperative to enforce strict country quotas to maintain public safety during the pilgrimage.

 

**NAHCON Addresses Stakeholders**

 

Addressing the outcome, NAHCON Chairman and CEO Ismail Yusuf acknowledged the disappointment among intending pilgrims and state agencies while explaining the official position.

 

> "We appreciate the deep spiritual desire of many Nigerian Muslims to perform Hajj and understand the expectations of states and stakeholders seeking additional slots," Yusuf stated. "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."

 

**Strict Deadline Set for Data Uploads**

 

Yusuf urged all state boards, tour operators, and agencies to make transparent and efficient use of their current allocations. He emphasized that strict adherence to administrative deadlines is required by both NAHCON and the Saudi Nusuk platform.

 

The mandatory deadline for uploading prospective pilgrims’ data is **September 26, 2026**. NAHCON warned that no extensions will be granted beyond this date.