Nigeria's allocation for the 2027 Hajj has increased to 60,000 pilgrims after Saudi Arabia approved an additional 10,000 slots for the country.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, announced the development on Thursday, October 1, saying the additional allocation followed renewed high-level engagement between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments.

The development comes less than two weeks after NAHCON announced that Saudi Arabia had initially declined Nigeria's request for an increase in its 2027 Hajj quota, leaving the country's allocation at 50,000 at the time.

Under the latest arrangement, 7,500 of the additional slots have been allocated to state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, agencies and commissions, while the remaining 2,500 slots will go to seven lead private tour operator companies.

This brings Nigeria's overall allocation from the previously approved 50,000 pilgrims to 60,000 for the 2027 pilgrimage.

The original 50,000 allocation comprised 35,000 slots for pilgrims under the states and Federal Capital Territory arrangement and 15,000 slots for licensed private Hajj tour operators, according to NAHCON's earlier clarification on the 2027 quota.

NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Saudi authorities for approving the additional allocation.

He also thanked the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and Deputy Minister Dr Abdul Fattah bin Sulaiman Mashat for their cooperation with Nigeria on Hajj arrangements.

According to NAHCON, the additional slots will be administered in accordance with applicable Nigerian and Saudi Arabian regulations and operational requirements.

The commission said it would work with state pilgrims' welfare boards, agencies, commissions and licensed private tour operators to ensure the additional allocation is managed transparently.

The latest increase is particularly notable because it reverses Saudi Arabia's earlier decision communicated on September 17. At that time, NAHCON said the Kingdom had declined Nigeria's request for more slots, citing capacity and operational considerations and its adherence to approved country quotas.

Following that decision, NAHCON had urged state authorities and licensed operators to work within the 50,000-slot allocation and comply with the Saudi registration requirements.

The commission had also said the Saudi authorities required prospective pilgrims' biometric and registration information to be uploaded through the designated Nusuk-Masar platform by September 26, 2026.

With the additional allocation now approved after that earlier deadline, arrangements surrounding the newly released slots may require further operational coordination between NAHCON, the relevant state agencies, private operators and Saudi authorities.

NAHCON said it remains committed to ensuring that the 2027 Hajj is properly coordinated and that the welfare and interests of Nigerian pilgrims are protected.

The commission also reiterated its stated objective of making Hajj accessible and affordable while maintaining standards for service delivery, accountability and regulatory compliance.

For prospective pilgrims who may benefit from the additional allocation, the next stage will depend on the procedures and timetable to be communicated by NAHCON and the relevant state pilgrims' welfare authorities.

The commission has separately warned members of the public against paying individuals who claim they can guarantee special Hajj slots. NAHCON said legitimate allocations are governed by official procedures and advised intending pilgrims and operators to rely on its official communications.

The latest development therefore raises Nigeria's approved 2027 Hajj quota to 60,000, giving the country an additional 10,000 places for the forthcoming pilgrimage while preparations continue between Nigerian and Saudi authorities.