The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced that there will be no concessionary rates or government subsidies for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
This means Nigerian pilgrims will have to bear the total cost of the pilgrimage, with each expected to pay a minimum of N9.9 million based on current exchange rates.
NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Anofi Elegushi, announced Tuesday following a virtual meeting with Private Tour Operators.
He explained that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had allocated 95,000 slots to Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 pilgrimage, with each pilgrim required to pay at least $6,000 to cover transportation, accommodation, and feeding costs.
With the naira currently trading at N1,653 to the dollar, the pilgrimage cost will be no less than N9.9 million per pilgrim.
NAHCON’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, confirmed in a statement that no concessionary exchange rate or subsidies would be available for pilgrims, whether registered through the States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards or private tour operators.
“For the 2025 Hajj, there will be no concessionary exchange rate from the government for Hajj fare payment for pilgrims, whether under state or private Hajj operators,” the statement read.
This marks a departure from previous years when the federal government provided financial support to ease the burden on pilgrims.
In 2024, the government offered a N90 billion subsidy to NAHCON to support Hajj pilgrims.
While NAHCON has yet to finalize the deposit fares for the 2025 Hajj, some states, including the Federal Capital Territory, have already announced initial deposit amounts. Kano State, for example, has set the deposit at N8.4 million for intending pilgrims.
Addressing other developments, Elegushi revealed that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had reduced the number of private companies authorized to organize Hajj from 20 to 10.
These companies must register at least 2,000 pilgrims to qualify for visa approval.
He also mentioned that pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj would receive a refund of 150 Saudi Riyals (SR) each, while NAHCON awaits further details on the 2022 Hajj refund, except for those who stayed at Field Office 18, who are to receive SR62,602 collectively due to poor feeding.
Elegushi also addressed concerns about NAHCON allegedly owing Private Tour Operators N17 billion from the 2024 Hajj caution deposits.
He clarified that NAHCON received N2 billion and N750 million from 110 companies for the 2024 Hajj, including a rollover of N1 billion from the previous year.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board announced an N8.4 million deposit for the 2025 Hajj for pilgrims from the state.
According to the Director General of the Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, this amount was set in line with NAHCON’s directive.
Kano State has been allocated 4,356 Hajj seats across its 44 local government areas.
Danbappa advised intending pilgrims to make timely payments to secure a spot for the 2025 Hajj and complete the registration process with all required documents, including a valid passport and passport-sized photographs.
The Kano Pilgrims Welfare Board Chairman, Yusif Lawan, urged Local Government Hajj Centre Officers to ensure proper management of the allocated seats.
