According to a report by Saving Point Media, Nigerians are expected to spend over N725.1 billion on the 2024 edition of the annual Hajj exercise to the Holy lands of Makkah and Medina.
This follows a directive by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), urging pilgrims to pay an additional N1.9 million balance in accordance with current foreign exchange rates before the deadline of March 29, 2024.
NAHCON, in a statement signed by Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, explained that late and non-remittances of fares pushed the commission beyond the deadline given by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
However, the government intervened by appealing for cost reductions.
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Previously registered pilgrims who had paid the N4.9 million sum announced by NAHCON in February are required to pay the additional N1.9 million.
New registrants for the exercise have been directed to pay N8.5 million.
Only 48,414 of the 95,000 pilgrims’ slot allocated to Nigeria had paid the previous N4.8 million average price.
With the additional fares, the total amount contributed by early registrants will be N329.2152 trillion, while the remaining 46,586 new registrants paying N8.5 million will contribute to the added N395.981 billion, bringing the total to N725.1962 trillion.
In 2022, average Hajj fare prices were set at N2.4 million with a total of 43,000 pilgrims making the trip.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, average prices in 2023 rose to about N2.9 million, with Nigeria filling all allocated 95,000 seats.
The new fares, reaching over 280% of fare prices in 2022, coupled with the deadline for payments, may result in Nigeria being unable to fill all allotted seats.
NAHCON announced the fare hike, attributing it to challenges arising from non-to-late remittances of Hajj fare and shifts in foreign exchange rates.
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