NAHCON seeks waivers on remittance, aviation charges to reduce 2025 hajj costs

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has asked for waivers on the two percent charge on remittances by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other aviation fees for the 2025 hajj.

Abdullahi Usman, NAHCON chairman, made the appeal on Saturday during a courtesy visit to Dikko Radda, Katsina state governor, at the governor’s lodge in Abuja.

Usman said the commission saved about N50 billion for Nigerian pilgrims through negotiations with Saudi Arabian service providers, despite setting the hajj fare at over N8 million.

He said aviation charges alone account for about 65 percent of total hajj costs.

He noted that the waivers could further lower the hajj fare, while urging Radda to support the commission’s efforts to obtain them.

“The initial projections had put the fare for this year’s Hajj at over N10 million,” the chairman said.

“Through discussions and engagements with service providers in Saudi Arabia, we have been able to save approximately ₦50 billion for our pilgrims, and we are still working on securing additional reductions.

“In shaa Allah, if we receive additional waivers, the fare will be further reduced.”

CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

Usman said last year, the federal government provided a N90 billion subsidy for hajj, but N1.7 billion was deducted as charges.

“With this year’s total remittance projected to reach nearly N500 billion, the deduction could amount to over N20 billion,” he added.

The chairman also sought the governor’s support in persuading the federal government to issue pilgrims’ Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) through ATM credit cards instead of cash.

He called on state governments to submit lists of officials who prefer Tent-A accommodations at Mina and Arafat to streamline the process.

Also speaking, Anofi Elegushi, NAHCON commissioner for operations, inspectorate, and licensing, noted that while the commission had cut costs for offshore services in Saudi Arabia, domestic charges—especially from aviation agencies—remained a challenge.

“If these agencies grant us a waiver, it will have a direct impact on airfare and will significantly reduce the overall cost for pilgrims,” he said.

He appealed to state governments to advance funds on behalf of their pilgrims to help NAHCON meet Saudi Arabia’s payment deadline.

“We appeal to state governments to front-load payments for their pilgrims, which will later be deducted during the reconciliation process,” he added.

“This will ensure that we meet the deadline without putting pressure on individual pilgrims.”

Elegushi also called for public awareness campaigns to educate intending pilgrims on drug-related offences.

He expressed concern over cases of Nigerian pilgrims being caught with prohibited substances in Saudi Arabia, sometimes unknowingly.

Responding, Radda called for reforms to improve NAHCON’s operations, including reducing the number of days Nigerian pilgrims spend in Saudi Arabia from 40 days to three or four weeks.

“Last year, hajj operations faced significant difficulties, causing distress to many intending pilgrims and the government alike”, the governor said.

“Despite these challenges, we managed to send about 2,700 pilgrims from Katsina State.

“I question why our pilgrims are required to spend up to 40 days in Saudi Arabia after Hajj, while those on international Hajj programmes complete their pilgrimage in just five to seven days.”

He assured the NAHCON team that he would raise their concerns at the upcoming Northern Governors’ Forum meeting.

He also pledged to seek the support of religious leaders to enhance public awareness of Hajj matters.

Radda urged President Bola Tinubu to continue subsidising the exchange rate for Hajj payments, saying such interventions had been beneficial in the past.