2024 Hajj: NAHCON demands additional N1.9 million from Muslim pilgrims
In response to the oscillating exchange rate, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that pilgrims who registered for the 2024 Hajj before the previous deadline of February 12 will now have to pay a balance of N1.9m before they can be cleared to fly to Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON urged pilgrims to pay up the balance before March 29, 2024, when the commission will shut down its systems and cease to accommodate payments.
This was contained in a statement titled “NAHCON releases new developments on 2024 Hajj” and signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, on Sunday.
The statement reads, “The cost of the 2024 Hajj shot up to N6 million due to the volatile currency situation in Nigeria, but for the commission’s intervention by consolidating the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services. Consequently, intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern centre are required to pay N4.8 million as Hajj fare.
“Those from the northern centre will pay N4.6 million for the Hajj, and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri centre will pay a fee of N4.6 million for the 2024 Hajj. This is the will of Allah because the commission, facing a tight deadline of February 25, has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5 million, which it assiduously worked for.”
The commission, however, said that the new forex policy would unexpectedly increase the cost of the Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims.
The commission said that despite intending pilgrims paying N4.9 million, depending on the departure zone as approved by the government, they had to pay a balance of N1,9 million.
“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release, advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1 million latest by 11:59 p.m. of March 28. The commission will shut down its system by March 29 and no other payment would be accommodated after,” the statement added.
“Affected pilgrims are advised to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status.”
While the commission regrets the short notice, it has become inevitable due to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s stern warning to Nigeria regarding the delay in adhering to the Hajj arrangement framework.
