The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday, directed states to begin full scale preparation for migration of 43,008 intending pilgrims for 2022 hajj activities.

This came even as the hajj commission gave clear direction on seats allocation to participating states, armed forces and private tour operators.

Besides, a tentative fare has been considered based on the reality on exchange rate, Saudi new 15 per cent increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) and other indices.

Addressing head of States Pilgrims Welfare Board and other critical stakeholders in the industry, Chairman of the Commission, Barrister Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, formally announced that Nigeria was granted 43,008 slots based on performance of the country in the previous allocation.

According to him, out of the total allocation, States Pilgrims Welfare Board is allocated 33,976 seats (79 per cent) while private tour operators get 9,032 seats (21per cent). He added that 3, 398 seats (8per cent) is reserved for the stakeholders.

On the cluster distribution of the allocation by states, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Kano, Katsina and Kebbi top the list of states with highest slots while Abia, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu and Edo came top bottom among other few with zero allocation.

While justifying the sharing method for the allocation, Barr. Zikrullah explained that 2022 seats were allocated based on performance of each states in the 2019 hajj operations.

In the sharing table, Kaduna gets 2,491 seats, Sokoto 2,404, Niger 2, 256, Kano 2,229, Katsina 2,146 and Kebbi has 2,128. In the Southwest, Lagos has 1,562, Oyo 629, Ogun 497, Osun 460, Ondo 191 while Ekiti got 86 seats.

Similarly, Edo got 91, Ebonyi 51, Cross Rivers 29, Delta 19, Anambra 17, Enugu 13 and Abia received six seats. Meanwhile four states have zero allocation. They are Akwa Ibom, Imo, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

The NAHCON chairman, who disclosed that preparation including payment of final hajj fare tentatively slated between N2.4 million and N2.5million added that all arrangements are expecting to be concluded be May 16, 2022.

He reminded that all conditions and guidelines stipulated by the Saudis authorities, especially on COVID-19 vaccination, 65 years age limited and other conventions will be strictly adhered with.