THE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has set the final prices for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
In October, the commission had initially set the fare deposit at N4.5 million, stating that this amount would help in negotiating the final costs for accommodation, airline fares, feeding, and other necessities based on the dollar rate.
However, in a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, today, the Commission stated that it made efforts to keep the prices at N4.5 million, but had to make adjustments because to “the recent instability in the dollar exchange rate.”
Usara noted that while the commission’s Chairman, Jalal Arabi, had negotiated pricing with service providers in Saudi Arabia, due to recent instability in the dollar exchange rate, the commission had to make adjustments, as the fares would have otherwise reached up to N6 million.
“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 partly read.
As a result, the commission has now fixed the fares for intending pilgrims from Nigeria’s Southern center at N4,899,000; those from the Northern center at N4,699,000; and pilgrims from Yola and Maiduguri centers at N4,679,000 for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
Intending pilgrims have been advised to pay or balance their Hajj fares by Monday, February 12, 2024.
The commission assured the public of its commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants, despite the challenges posed by foreign exchange factors, and appreciated the understanding and cooperation of the Nigerian Muslim community during these times.
