Nigeria Unveils New Private Hajj Regulations; Sierra Leone Announces 2027 Pilgrimage Cost

Nigeria's National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has issued new licensing and operational guidelines for private Hajj and Umrah operators. The regulations aim to improve accountability, transparency and service quality, curb unlicensed operators, and align with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s push for higher standards. The move follows similar reforms in Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

In Sierra Leone, the Presidential Hajj Task Force set the fee for the 2027 Hajj at US$7,000 per pilgrim and opened registration, which closes on 30 October 2026. Applicants must submit identification, a passport valid for at least one year, and undergo a six‑month residency screening. Payment instructions were provided for the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s National Pilgrimage accounts, with a payment deadline of 16 November 2026.