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Intending pilgrims in Niger State are to pay N8 million each for the 2026 Hajj fare. The Executive Secretary of the Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu, stated this in Minna yesterday. He announced that the Board has, for the meantime, pegged the 2026 Hajj fare at N8 million, with November 30, 2025, as the deadline for the collection of the fare in line with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) directive. The Executive Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Administration of the Board, Malam Ado Bello, made the statement during a crucial meeting with Area Pilgrims Welfare Officers (APWOs) to discuss updates and key preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations. He said the meeting was necessary to provide updates on preparations, including the level of collections, and to brief the APWOs on the newly introduced medical screening procedures for intending pilgrims as directed by the Ministry of Hajj, Saudi Arabia, among other matters. Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu therefore called on intending pilgrims to hasten their payments as a matter of urgency, and for those who have made part payments to complete them before the deadline to allow timely remittance to NAHCON. During the meeting, the management provided a detailed explanation of new developments in the medical screening of intending pilgrims, ensuring that only those who are medically fit will embark on the journey, thereby minimising mortality or health risks during the pilgrimage. They also presented a comprehensive plan for the 2026 Hajj operations, including the allocation of accommodation for pilgrims in Makkah and other logistical arrangements to guarantee a seamless Hajj experience. The management further received status updates on the collection of Hajj fares from the APWOs to enable the Board to assess readiness and address challenges in the payment process.
