The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a significant policy change that will impact the cost of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. The federal government will no longer provide a subsidy, which previously allowed pilgrims to benefit from a concessionary exchange rate. This decision is expected to cause the Hajj fare to skyrocket to approximately ₦10 million per pilgrim, assuming the naira remains at its current rate of ₦1,650 per dollar.
NAHCON's decision primarily affects the Central Bank of Nigeria’s dollar exchange rate, which had enabled pilgrims to pay a reduced rate in the past. Without this subsidy, the financial burden on intending pilgrims will increase significantly. As a result, States Pilgrims Welfare Boards have already begun requesting an initial deposit of ₦8.5 million from prospective pilgrims, although the final fare for the 2025 Hajj has not yet been set by NAHCON.
This development follows ongoing issues related to past pilgrimages, where NAHCON had to address service delivery problems by refunding 150 Saudi Riyals (approximately ₦64,682) to each Nigerian pilgrim who attended the 2023 Hajj. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has reduced the number of Private Tour Operators (PTOs) eligible to conduct the pilgrimage from 20 to 10, requiring each approved operator to register at least 2,000 pilgrims. This reduction further complicates the logistics and affordability of the pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.
Given these challenges, it is crucial for NAHCON and other stakeholders to explore alternative solutions to mitigate the financial impact on pilgrims. This could include negotiating better rates with airlines or accommodation providers, or seeking partnerships with private sector entities to offer financial assistance or payment plans to pilgrims.
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