The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that each of the 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj will receive a refund of 150 Saudi Riyals (approximately N60,000).
This applies to those who traveled through state pilgrim boards and private tour operators.
The update was shared during a virtual meeting between NAHCON and private tour operators, with key developments discussed following the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as acting chairman on October 2.
The meeting, chaired by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, also covered new directives from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and decisions made during NAHCON’s recent executive meeting.
Elegushi confirmed that the Saudi authorities have reduced the number of tour operator lead companies for the 2025 Hajj from 20 to 10, requiring each company to register at least 2,000 pilgrims for Hajj visa approval.
Regarding the 2022 Hajj, it was revealed that only private tour operators camped in Field Office 18 will collectively receive 62,602 Saudi Riyals as compensation for poor feeding during the Masha’ir period. NAHCON is still awaiting more details on this.
Elegushi also noted that there will be no concessionary exchange rate provided by the government for Hajj fare payments in 2025, either through state pilgrim boards or private operators.
Addressing concerns about the N17 billion allegedly owed to private tour operators from the 2024 Hajj, Elegushi clarified that NAHCON received N2.75 billion from 110 companies registered for the 2024 Hajj, including a rollover of N1.25 billion from 2023.
Out of this, N750 million has already been refunded to 30 companies that requested it, leaving N750 million in NAHCON’s custody for undecided operators.
In a move to ease financial pressure, NAHCON has approved the use of bank guarantees as an alternative to the N40 million caution deposit required for 2025 Hajj registration. Tour operators who have already deposited cash can opt to retrieve their money and provide a bank guarantee instead.
The deadline for tour operator registration has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 11, with operators given the option to register using either a cash deposit or a bank guarantee.
Those opting for bank guarantees were advised to submit a bank draft for the caution deposit, which can later be replaced by a guarantee after the deadline.
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