West African 2027 Hajj preparations

In mid‑July, Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) began organising the 2027 Hajj season, directing state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and licensed tour operators to collect a ₦4 million deposit from pilgrims, with a September deadline for payments. At the same time, Tunisia opened a volunteer programme to escort pilgrims, setting application windows and age criteria for candidates.

A week later, Nigeria expanded its preparation effort by issuing new licensing and operational guidelines for private Hajj and Umrah operators, aiming to improve accountability and align with Saudi standards. Sierra Leone entered the coordinated regional effort, announcing a US$7,000 fee per pilgrim for the 2027 Hajj, opening registration and detailing documentation and payment procedures.

Together, the snapshots show a broadening and deepening of Hajj mobilisation across West Africa, with Nigeria refining regulatory oversight, Tunisia recruiting support staff, and Sierra Leone establishing its own pilgrimage framework.