By Abdulraheem Kawthar Adenike | Fact Frontier.
Click here to read more about the reporter.
As the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the official fares and deadlines for the 2026 Hajj exercise, many Nigerians are now turning their attention to how to safely make payments without falling victim to fraudulent agents or impostors. The Commission on September 28, 2025, released the approved Hajj fares and asked intending pilgrims to complete payments before December 31, 2025. This new announcement is already attracting mixed reactions, with many people recalling past experiences of being duped by fake agents.
According to NAHCON,
the 2026 Hajj fares range between N8.1 million and N8.5 million depending on the departure zone of the pilgrim. For instance, Maiduguri-Yola zone, which covers states like Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba, is fixed at about N8.1 million.Other northern states are expected to pay around N8.24 million, while the southern states have a fare of N8.56 million. The Commission noted that these fares are about N200,000 lower than what was paid in 2025. In a statement signed by NAHCON’s spokesperson, it was stressed that
intending pilgrims must complete their payments latest by December 31, 2025.
One of the major risks that come with this period is the rise of fraudsters pretending to be official agents. In past years, several people have lost millions to such fake operators. To guide the public, experts and religious leaders are calling for strict caution. A Hajj affairs analyst told Premium Times that
the safest way is for pilgrims to pay only through recognized state pilgrims’ boards or licensed tour operators approved by NAHCON.
Here are some of the standard measures every intending pilgrim should take to avoid being duped:
First, pilgrims should verify the status of the agent or tour operator before making any payment. NAHCON usually publishes a list of all licensed tour operators on its website and in national newspapers. Any agent not on this list should not be trusted. According to a report by Radio Nigeria on September 25, 2025,
NAHCON has signed agreements with official service providers in Saudi Arabia, and only licensed operators are permitted to transact with them.
Second, receipts and official documents must be demanded for every transaction. Every pilgrim making payments should collect a valid receipt carrying the name of the pilgrims’ board or tour company, signed and stamped properly. Failure to collect receipts is one of the ways people lose money without proof.
Third, avoid paying cash to individuals. NAHCON has repeatedly warned that payments should be made directly into official bank accounts of either the state pilgrims’ boards or the registered operators. The Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board said recently that
pilgrims who already paid N8.5 million will be refunded the excess, but payments must be traceable to official accounts (Vanguard, September 2025).
Fourth, intending pilgrims should attend awareness programs and sensitization meetings organized by their state boards. These sessions provide updated information on payment processes, visa documentation, and other guidelines. People who ignore such sessions are more likely to fall into the hands of scammers.
Fifth, pilgrims should make inquiries directly from NAHCON’s official website, offices, or hotlines. Many scammers clone social media pages and pretend to be staff of the Commission. The Commission has warned against relying on unofficial WhatsApp or Facebook groups for payment instructions.
Finally, time is a very important factor. Fraudsters often exploit the pressure of deadlines to deceive people with fake promises of quick registration. Since the payment deadline has been set for December 31, 2025, pilgrims have enough time to process their payments carefully without rushing.
The Guardian Nigeria reported last week that NAHCON has completed refunds for the 2025 exercise and is moving to settle all arrangements for 2026. This shows that the Commission is determined to make the process transparent. However, transparency will only work if intending pilgrims also play their part by being alert.
In summary, the announcement of Hajj 2026 fares is a clear signal for preparations to begin, but it is also a period where fraud is at its peak. Nigerians planning to perform the holy pilgrimage should remember to pay only through authorized channels, demand receipts, and double-check information from official sources. As one official put it in a statement carried by TVC News,
no pilgrim should allow fraudsters to take advantage of their spiritual aspiration.
By following these standard measures, pilgrims will not only secure their money but also guarantee peace of mind as they prepare for one of the most important spiritual journeys of their lives.
