The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the fare for the 2024 Hajj exercise will be N4.9 million.
This comes after the commission had initially set the deposit at N4.5 million, but many intending pilgrims were unable to pay. According to a statement by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON, pilgrims from Southern states will be required to pay N4,899,000, while those from Northern states will pay N4,699,000. Pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri will pay a fee of N4,679,000.
The commission attributed the increase in fare to the high foreign exchange rate, which is a major challenge for Nigeria’s economy. Intending pilgrims have been given until February 12th to transfer the money to the service providers before the February 29th deadline. Last year, pilgrims paid slightly above N3 million for the Hajj.
The prospects had remained optimistic until the well-known crash of the Naira that occurred in the middle of the week. Unfortunately, due to the recent instability in the Dollar exchange rate, a necessary adjustment had to be made despite the commendable efforts of NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Ahmad Arabi, to maintain the cost of this year’s Hajj at the same rate.
Chairman Arabi had actively negotiated significant discounts with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late January, aiming to reduce costs for intending pilgrims. However, the volatile currency situation within the week forced the Commission to make a drastic decision in order to consolidate the progress made in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj.
Without this adjustment, the price of the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage could have reached approximately N6,000,000 (six million Naira). As a result, intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern center are required to pay N4,899,000 as the Hajj fare, those from the Northern center will pay N4,699,000, and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri center will pay a fee of N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj.
Chairman Arabi expressed his regret and stated that this is the will of Allah, as the Commission is facing a tight deadline of 25th February and has limited time to explore further options to remain within the range of N4.5 million, which he had diligently worked for. Consequently, NAHCON announces the feasible cost of Hajj to meet the impending remittance deadline.
Intending pilgrims are advised to balance their Hajj fare by Monday 12th of February to enable the Commission to transfer the funds before the imminent deadline.
NAHCON assures the public of its commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants, despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors. The Commission appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian Muslim community during these times.
