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Each Pilgrim Was Supported with N1.6m for 2024 Hajj – NAHCON Chair |
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, announced that each pilgrim who paid for the 2024 Hajj through the government quota received support amounting to N1.36 million due to the naira's instability.
During a press conference on Monday, he explained that the depreciation of the nation's currency, caused by the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) foreign exchange reform, rendered the initial payments by intending pilgrims insufficient.
As a result, the commission sought assistance from the federal government to approve a concessionary exchange rate of N850/$1 for intending pilgrims.
Instead, the president approved a N90 billion intervention to assist the pilgrims, which NAHCON utilized to support them.
“By the final deadline of February 12, 2024, the unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates had significantly complicated matters, necessitating a fresh adjustment of the year’s Hajj fare from the initial N4.9 million,” he said.
The financial projection after the foreign currency liberalization indicated that each pilgrim would need to add about N3.6 million to their initial payment.
“The situation required urgent intervention. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, NAHCON promptly engaged with the federal government to mitigate the effects of the high cost of foreign currency, appealing for a concessionary rate of N850 as the exchange rate for the dollar component of the Hajj fare.
“We are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90 billion instead.
“Distributing this N90 billion equitably so that registered pilgrims would not have to pay additional amounts beyond the N4.9 million was challenging.
“NAHCON then devised a distribution strategy, which played a crucial role in ensuring that all stakeholders associated with the 2024 Hajj benefited from the financial stability provided by this federal government support.
“Each pilgrim was supported with N1.637 million from the N90 billion, except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who received more.”
Responding to a question about the deaths of pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj, the chairman reported that about 30 Nigerians died, with only three or four deaths attributed to the reported heat waves.
The NAHCON chairman stated that his team is open to suggestions on how to improve future exercises and encouraged complaints from the recent exercise to be forwarded to the Commission, assuring that any established infractions would be duly sanctioned.
