By Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta
As Activities for Hajj 2025 gain momentum, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is implementing necessary measures to ensure a hitch-free and rewarding spiritual experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
Every year, the Hajj exercise in the country raises specific concerns, making it unsurprising that NAHCON receives significant national attention during this period.
Nevertheless, it is imperative for the Nigerian Hajj Media Support, a concerned group monitoring and reporting on Hajj affairs as they relate to Nigerian pilgrims, to express deep satisfaction with the level of preparations made so far by NAHCON.
Recently, the group witnessed the conclusion of a pre-Hajj visit by all stakeholders in the industry to Saudi Arabia, where NAHCON, on behalf of Nigeria, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various service providers to offer premium accommodations, transportation, meals, and other essential welfare services to Nigerians in Saudi Arabia.
The group also recalls the successful selection of air carriers that will transport Nigerian contingents to the Holy Land. Four airlines, including one based in Saudi Arabia, were approved after thorough due diligence.
READ ALSO: NAHCON’s Hajj Savings Scheme: A Path to Affordable Pilgrimage in Nigeria.
Similarly, the Commission released the much-anticipated final fare for the 2025 Hajj to the public. This year’s pilgrimage fare provided relief, dispelling concerns about potentially outrageous costs that some unpatriotic elements had anticipated.
Under the diligent chairmanship of Professor Abdullahi Usman, NAHCON released unexpected fare rates. According to the fare structure, pilgrims from the Adamawa and Maiduguri zones will pay N8,327,125.59; those from other northern regions will pay N8,457,685.59, while their counterparts from the southern region are expected to remit N8,784,085.59.
Those familiar with the factors influencing fare differentials understand that the variation is not intentional; it is based purely on the nautical miles between designated destinations and the Holy Land.
The final fare for the 2025 Hajj reflects a slight increase of less than 4 percent compared to what pilgrims paid in 2024. Despite an unexplained federal government subsidy, the current management of NAHCON under Professor Abdullahi Usman has surprised speculators who were expecting a fare announcement of N10 million.
While lower fares were anticipated, it is important to consider that Hajj fares are predominantly dollar-based, and Nigerian pilgrims are charged based on the market rate of the naira in relation to the US dollar.
Incidentally, NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Usman clarified the use of N1,600 as a benchmark for determining the Hajj fare. While defending NAHCON’s budget for 2025 before the National Assembly on Tuesday, Professor Usman justified the commission’s decision to set N1,600 as a baseline to mitigate exchange rate volatility.
The Nigerian Hajj Media Support monitored how the volatility of the naira against the US dollar has previously impacted Hajj exercises. Notably, pilgrims were forced to incur additional charges amounting to millions of naira to cover the sudden depreciation of the naira.
The Nigerian Hajj Media Support wishes to reaffirm its confidence that NAHCON, under the capable leadership of Professor Abdullahi Usman, has taken bold steps and preventive measures against any eventuality that may further escalate Hajj fares.
Recall that upon assuming office at the Hajj House, Professor Usman pledged to operate with accountability and transparency. We do not expect anything less from a man of proven integrity.
In any case, the group is confident that NAHCON under Professor Usman will not hesitate to announce any surplus from what was charged and will even consider refunding such balances to pilgrims when necessary.
However, the group is aware of the unscrupulous individuals both within and around the commission who may be plotting the downfall of the current management. We can only encourage them to continue chasing shadows. Those raising false alarms would be better served monitoring NAHCON’s activities and raising necessary criticisms at the appropriate time.
NAHCON under Professor Usman will not be distracted by the antics of unscrupulous individuals but will instead focus on improving this year’s Hajj experience compared to previous years.
Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta
National Coordinator, Nigerian Hajj Media Support Team
Writes from Kaduna
