The federal government is expected to make about N5.4bn from Nigerian pilgrims taking part in the 2026 Hajj through a compulsory service charge, a new report has said.
The figure was released by the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society group that monitors transparency in Hajj operations.
The group disclosed this in a statement issued by its national coordinator and shared with journalists over the weekend.
According to the report, the 2026 Hajj fare requires every pilgrim to pay a 2 per cent service charge directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
IHR explained that with the official Hajj fare fixed at about N7.6 million per pilgrim, the levy comes to roughly N136,417 for each person.
It said, “With the official Hajj fare set at roughly N7.6 million per person, the mandatory levy translates to about N136,417 per pilgrim.”
Based on Nigeria’s allocation of 40,000 pilgrims, the group estimated that the total amount going to the CBN would be between N5.3bn and N5.4bnn.
The group added that in dollar terms, each pilgrim pays $92.46, bringing the total to around $3.7m. It noted that this is higher than the $90 charged during the 2025 Hajj.
IHR said, “Based on an allocation of 40,000 pilgrims to the various states, the total revenue accruing to the CBN is estimated to reach between N5.3bn and N5.4bn.”
It further stated, “In U.S. currency, the charge amounts to $92.46 per person, totalling approximately $3.7m
“This figure marks an increase from the $90 fee charged during the 2025 Hajj season.”
The organisation explained that the fee is mainly linked to transferring funds to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) foreign bank account in Saudi Arabia.
