Hajj 2025: NAHCON approves 4 banks for savings scheme

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved four banks to support and implement the Hajj Savings Scheme. Abdulbasit Abba, an official in the Information and Publications Division of NAHCON, announced the development in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday. Abba stated, “A significant milestone for the Hajj Savings Scheme, three new Islamic banks—Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank have officially joined the initiative to support Nigerian pilgrims. “These banks will operate alongside Ja’iz Bank, bringing the total number of participating financial institutions to four. “The official signing and acknowledgment of the appointment letters took place at Hajj House in Abuja, where representatives from the three new banks received their official letters from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). “The Commissioner for Policy, Personnel, Management, and Finance, Prince Abdullazak Aliu, presented the letters on behalf of the Chairman/CEO, Prof. Abdullahi Usman. “This expansion marks a new era for the Hajj Savings Scheme, ensuring a more robust financial structure to facilitate pilgrimage arrangements for Nigerian Muslims.

Hajj 2025: No Subsidy for Pilgrims, NAHCON Confirms

With Naira averaging N1,600: USD1, Hajj fares may exceed N10million in 2024 The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that there will be no government subsidies or concessionary rates for the upcoming 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.  This decision was communicated by NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Anofi Elegushi, during a recent virtual meeting with Private Tour Operators. In the announcement, it was confirmed that pilgrims, whether registered through state Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards or private operators, will not benefit from any favorable exchange rates for fare payments.  As a result, pilgrims may face costs exceeding N10 million, based on the current exchange rate of over N1,600 to $1, with the standard fare estimated at around $6,000. While the Federal Government had previously offered a substantial subsidy of N90 billion for the 2024 Hajj, no such financial support will be available for 2025.  As NAHCON prepares for the next pilgrimage, initial deposit amounts for intending pilgrims have already been set by several states, including the Federal Capital Territory, at N8.4 million. Further discussions revealed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has limited the number of private companies involved in the pilgrimage to ten, each required to register a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims for visa approval.  Additionally, it was announced that Nigerian pilgrims who attended the 2023 Hajj will each receive a refund of SR150. However, NAHCON is still awaiting further information regarding refunds for the 2022 Hajj.  The Commission clarified that it received only N2.75 billion from 110 companies for the 2024 Hajj registration, contradicting claims of a larger debt owed to the Private Tour Operators.  Refunds have already been processed for some companies, with remaining funds yet to be allocated.

Travel agents withdraw from 2025 hajj over refund dispute

The crisis brewing at the National Hajj Commission seems not to have an end in sight as travel agents under the aegis of the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria pull out of the arrangement as well as registration for the 2025 operations. This was made known through an internal memo obtained by our correspondent on Thursday. AHUON and the National Hajj Commission have been at war over issues bordering on the seizure of funds belonging to the practitioners by NAHCON as well as other pockets of alleged misdeeds on the part of the commission. It will be recalled that a financial crisis and inhuman treatment of Nigerians at the last hajj consumed the ousted Chairman of NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, who was replaced by Prof. Abdullahi Usman. In the latest memo from AHUON, the president directed that members should halt any process regarding the 2025 hajj operations. The statement read partly, “Members who have made payment for the 2025 hajj form should not submit it until a counter directive is given. Members who have collected the form submitted it and made payment should send the name of their company to the zonal VP. “The NEC has met with our BOT members, and we all agreed that this action is necessary to ensure that all our requests before NAHCON are duly met, especially our accumulated refunds over the years. “It is worthy of note that NAHCON responded to our several letters of request only on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, giving an excuse that hajj processing should not be delayed to align with the Saudi Hajj calendar. This, to us, is their usual tactic over the years about the issues of accumulated refunds with them and can no longer be tolerated.” The National Spokesperson for the association, Monsurat Akinbode-Ajayi, confirmed the decision to our correspondent on Friday. “Yes, the national leadership has directed members to halt all plans on the 2025 hajj operations; it is true, I can confirm that to you,” she said. Contacted, the Acting Director of Public Affairs for NAHCON, Fatima Usara, acknowledged the issues at hand but stated that the commission was in touch with the association. She noted that the issues at hand involved multiple stakeholders both in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. In a short piece sent to our correspondent through WhatsApp with the title, ‘NAHCON to AHUON: Do not derail hajj preparations’, Usara reassured AHOUN and the general public that the commission had no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds. She said, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has noted with concern the recent directive by the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria instructing their members to suspend participation in 2025 hajj preparations. “While we acknowledge the issues raised regarding accumulated refunds, it is important to clarify that NAHCON has been in continuous communication with AHOUN on this matter and remains committed to addressing all legitimate concerns. The delay in resolving certain financial issues stems from the complexities of hajj operations, which involve multiple stakeholders both locally and internationally, including Saudi authorities. “On 24th September 2024, NAHCON communicated with AHOUN regarding the urgency of aligning with the Saudi hajj calendar to avoid disruptions in the 2025 hajj preparations, a position we still maintain as critical.”