NAHCON jacks up 2024 Hajj fare over Naira/Dollar exchange rate {DETAILS}

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced an upward adjustment in Hajji fare chargeable for this year exercise.

Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, the NAHCON’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, who made this known in a statement sent to The DEFENDER on Sunday dated 24th March 2024, explained that the new adjustment was due to late remittances of Hajj fare by people who are supposed to do so to time.

“However, non to late remittances of Hajj fare by those concerned necessitated adjustments, resulting in two date shifts with the final being 12th of February 2024. Recall that as at 31st December 2023, Naira was still at N897:00 to a Dollar at the banks.These shifts unfortunately pushed the Hajj fare collection deadline to fall after harmonization of foreign exchange rates, presenting a new and significant challenge,” she said.

According to Fatima Usara, “What the harmonization meant in the Hajj fare equation was that in the face of global
financial challenges, coupled with the new forex policy, Nigerian pilgrims would now be saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost, despite having already paid the fixed fare of about N4.9 million, depending on the departure zone as approved by government.

“Federal Government saw wisdom in deliberately intervening on behalf of the Nigerian intending pilgrims through various strategies including persuading cost reductions. Unfortunately, the interventions could not cover the entire number that had met the final registration deadline. This had remained the Commission’s dilemma. To make matters worse, now about 50,000 pilgrims under the Public Quota have paid the hitherto announced fare of about N4.9million and their payments are currently under the custody of the Commission.

“Considering the urgency of the situation, NAHCON was forced to explore various options, including encouraging State Governments and affluent individuals to intervene on behalf of their pilgrims. This window still remains open. This will compliment the intervention of the Federal Government that went the extra mile to support the Nigerian Muslim pilgrims in the discharge of their religious obligation. Commendably, government's policy focus of bringing down the exchange rate has given the Hajj fare reduction a boost.

“The good news now is that with Naira having appreciated to N1,474.00 to a Dollar over the preceeding week and after due consultation with stakeholders, coupled with NAHCON’s desire to ensure equatible spread of the Federal Government’s intervention to all the already registered pilgrims whose payments have been received, the Commission resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 in accordance with the current foreign exchange rate.

“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 latest by 11:59 pm of 28th March 2024.The Commission will shut down its system by 29th March and no other payment would be accommodated after.”

In the meantime, the Commission has advised affected pilgrims to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status, adding a table detailing number of pilgrims that have paid the Hajj fare according to states and that they remain the number expected to benefit from the intervention.

See the list of affected pilgrims below:

S/N STATES                     ACTUAL NO.OF SEATS PAID FOR

1 ABIA
2 ADAMAWA                                        1,767
3 A/IBOM
4 ANAMBRA
5 BAUCHI                                             2,290
6 BAYELSA                                                13
7 BENUE                                                    87
8 BORNO                                              1,780
9 C/RIVER
10 DELTA                                                   40
11 EBONYI                                                 13
12 EDO                                                     265
13 EKITI                                                    186
14 ENUGU                                                  18
15 FCT,ABUJA                                       2,489
16 GOMBE                                             1,262
17 IMO                                                         98
18 JIGAWA                                              1,260
19 KADUNA                                             4,656
20 KANO                                                  2,906
21 KATSINA                                             2,654

22 KEBBI                                                 3,344
23 KOGI                                                        13
24 KWARA                                                3,100
25 LAGOS                                                 1,857
26 NASARAWA                                         1,866
27 NIGER                                                  3,200
28 OGUN                                                      925

29 ONDO                                                      491
30 OSUN                                                   1,548
31 OYO                                                      1,047
32 PLATEAU                                              1,345
33 RIVERS                                                      42
34 SOKOTO                                               3,563
35 TARABA                                                 1,000
36 YOBE                                                     1,290
37 ZAMFARA                                              1,596
38 ARMED FORCES                                     403
TOTAL                                                       48,414

“However, any new registration for 2024 Hajj from today, 24th of March will attract the full
sum of N8,225, 464.74 from the Adamawa/Borno axis. From the North zone,fresh
depositors will pay N8, 254, 464.74 whereas fresh payments from the Southern zone will
attract N8, 454, 464.74 as Hajj fare. All categories are to pay within the same deadline.
While the Commission regrets the short notice, it has become inevitable due to Saudi
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's stern warning to Nigeria regarding the delay in adhering to
the Hajj arrangement framework. Before now, NAHCON had pleaded for an extension
which had been reluctantly granted and now the Ministry's patience is wearing thin.

“As for those who wish to withdraw their registration for the 2024 Hajj, they are advised to
formally request for refund from their states which will be treated with all seriousness.

“The next four days are crucial for stakeholders, especially those willing to intervene in
support of their pilgrims, to take necessary actions and ensure smooth Hajj
arrangements.

“NAHCON remains committed to facilitating the pilgrimage experience for Nigerian
Muslims and seeks cooperation from all parties involved,” NAHCON said.