The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said a total of 51,447 intending pilgrims successfully beat the deadline for registration for the 2024 hajj under the government quota.
The total figure includes 3,033 new intakes that were not captured in the data of early depositors.
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The total registered number represents a little above 68 percent of the 75,000 allocations given to states, the Hajj Saving Scheme HSS, and the Armed Forces.
NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Sanda Usara who released the official figure, said the commission recognized the numerous sacrifices and support rendered by the Federal Government that eventually eased the constraints of the conventional intending pilgrims.
The NAHCON spokesperson disclosed the breakdown of pilgrims per state – Kaduna (4,493), Sokoto (3,643), Kebbi (3, 419), and Kano (3,057) – have the highest number of travelers while Abia, Anambra, Cross-Rivers and Akwa-Ibom have zero intending pilgrim.
“After close of registration, the official number of intending pilgrims that registered for the 2024 Hajj from Nigeria stands at 51,447 under the government quota,” Usara said.
“The Commission also commends the patience exhibited by the pilgrims that were caught up in the uncertainties. The concern demonstrated by the Ulamas over the pilgrims’ predicament did not go unnoticed by the Commission.
“Several stakeholders, including State Governors, rendered solutions out of the gridlock. Some media houses showed tremendous understanding of the constraints which literarily exposed the reality of the quaqmire the 2024 Hajj was confronting.
“Indeed, 2024 Hajj preparations came with unexpected challenges from which lessons have been learnt. NAHCON has always known that long term planning has been the workable strategy that would have subdued the challenges that slowed down the year’s Hajj preparations.
“Going forward, long term planning will be the Commission’s paradigm shift in its pre-Hajj operations. It is a reality that all Hajj stakeholders must queue into to avert unforeseen challenges.”
