THE chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has hinted that Nigerians intending to perform this year’s hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may have the fare reduced if certain waivers are approved by the Federal Government for the commission.
NAHCON had on Monday announced a fare of N8,327,125.59 for Adamawa/Borno zone; N8,457,685.59 for the Northern zone while Southern zone fare is fixed at N8,784,085.59. The commission described these a product of extensive collaboration.
The hajj body stated that the fare was approved by the Office of the Vice-President while the commission as well as the Presidency and states’ pilgrims welfare boards “did their best to maintain the hajj fare within the same range as previously charged.”
In an interview with journalists in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, excerpts of which were made available by the commission’s media team to journalists in Abuja, Professor Usman said NAHCON was expecting some waivers on some charges which, if approved, might bring down the fare payable by Nigerians this year.
“We have not received any financial support from the Federal Government. But the Federal Government has played significant role in facilitating all the engagements, discussions with some institutions.
“We are also expecting waivers on some charges which if approved may likely being down the fare,” the NAHCON chairman said.
According to him, following the commission’s consultations with Saudi-based service providers, it has been able to secure reduction in charges paid for services at the Masha’ir (holy sites of Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah) to SR4,050 as against the SR4,770 paid last year.
“Our consultations resulted in huge discount from service providers. For example, the service provider who used to give us service at Masha’if, that is Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah, last year charged us SR4,770.
“With this discussion, this year they brought it down to SR4,050. This is the way we got it,” the chairman stated.
Meanwhile, Usman said that the deadline for the payment of the 2025 hajj fare is January 31, insisting that any intending pilgrims who fail to pay by that date cannot participate in this year’s spiritual exercise.
“The deadline for payment of the hajj fare this year is 31st January. Anyone who could not pay before this date, it means they cannot participate in this year’s hajj.
“This is not a decision of the commission. Even it is not a decision of the Federal Government; it is a decision of the Saudi Arabian government. So, we cannot do otherwise,” he said.
Speaking on the difference in the fare for this year’s hajj, Professor Usman stated that it was as a result of distance to Saudi Arabia, saying that Adamawa/Borno zone is closer to Saudi Arabia than other parts of the country.
He explained that airlines fix their prices according to distance to Saudi Arabia.
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