-Deborah Akinyosoye
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has stated that there will be no concessionary rates or government subsidy provided for the 2025 Hajj Exercise.
NAHCON’S Commissioner for Operations, Anofi Elegushi, disclosed on Monday, following a virtual meeting with Private Tour Operators.
In a statement by the Spokesperson for the Commission, Fatima Usara, Elegushi confirmed that there would be no concessionary rates for pilgrims registered under the state Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards or through the Operators
“It was confirmed that 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 partly read.
This would mean that at the current exchange rate of over N1,600/$1, pilgrims who are usually required to pay at least $6,000 each, may pay up to N10m for the 2025 exercise.
Recalled that the Federal Government had offered a subsidy of N90bn to the Commission to support intending pilgrims for the 2024 hajj exercise.
While NAHCON is yet to fix deposit fares for the 2025 Hajj, some states, including the FCT have announced initial deposits of N8.4m for intending pilgrims.