The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the final fare prices for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage exercise, which will cost up to N4.9 million for pilgrims from the Southern region of the country.
The Commission had previously set the initial fare deposit at N4.5 million in October, saying that the amount was based on the dollar rate that would determine the final cost of the Hajj.
The Commission also said that the deposit would help it negotiate better prices for accommodation, airline fares, feeding, and other services.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday by Fatima Usara, the Assistant Director of Public Affairs of NAHCON, the Commission said it had to adjust the fares due to the recent instability in the dollar exchange rate.
Usara said that the Chairman of the Commission, Jalal Arabi, had secured substantial discounts with service providers in Saudi Arabia in late January, but the currency situation in the past week forced the Commission to make changes, otherwise the fares would have soared to about N6 million.
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She quoted Arabi as saying: “It would be recalled that the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi had initially aimed to maintain the 2024 Hajj fare at N4.5 million that was charged as an initial deposit. The prospects had remained high until the well-known Naira crash that occurred mid-week.
“Regrettably, the recent instability in the dollar exchange rate compelled a necessary adjustment despite commendable efforts by NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Ahmad Arabi to maintain the cost of the year’s Hajj at the said rate.
“Arabi had actively negotiated substantial discounts with service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in late January, striving to alleviate costs for intending pilgrims.
“However, the volatile currency situation within the week necessitated the Commission to take a drastic decision to consolidate the gains achieved in lowering the cost of services for the Hajj, without which the price of the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage might have shot to about N6,000,000.”
The statement also revealed the new fares for different regions of the country: N4,899,000 for the Southern centre, N4,699,000 for the Northern centre, and N4,679,000 for Yola and Maiduguri centres.
The Commission advised intending pilgrims to pay or balance their Hajj fares by Monday, February 12 2024, to enable the Commission to transfer the funds before the deadline of 25th February.
The statement also assured the public of the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants, despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors.
The statement also expressed the Commission’s appreciation for the understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian Muslim community during these times.