The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the release of over N5.3 billion to states and private tour operators for poorly rendered services to Nigerian pilgrims during the 2023 hajj.

The amount was refunded by Saudi Arabia after genuine complaints raised by NAHCON over services paid for but poorly delivered during the pilgrimage.

Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi received lion shares of N381, 078,120.00 ; N375, 397,680.00 ; N317, 127,360.00;  and N301, 551,960.00 respectively.

Lagos received N223, 003,080.00; Osun got N112, 020,720.00; Edo had N26, 142,240.00; Cross-River N4,275,600.00; Imo N12, 826,800.00; and Ebonyi N2, 504,280.00. Abia state with the lowest pilgrims received the least refund of N671, 880.00.

In a statement by the Head Public Affairs, NAHCON, Muhammad Ahmad Musa, on Thursday evening, the cumulative amounts have been released to states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Pilgrims board and operators for onward disbursement to pilgrims that performed the 2023 hajj .

According to the statement, the refund underscores NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO,  Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations.

NAHCON therefore urged Nigerians that participated in the 2023 pilgrimage to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards and Commissions or Tour Operators to claim their refunds. It added that each pilgrim is entitled to receive a refund of N61,080.

The commissioner appealed to anti-graft agencies including Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant security agencies to closely monitor the refund process across the country.

“I hereby inform the public that NAHCON has disbursed refunds amounting to N4,479,362,880.00 to States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Armed Forces. These refunds pertain to the Masha’ir electricity services not rendered properly by the Saudi Authorities during the 2023 Hajj exercise.

“In addition, the commission has refunded a sum of N917,148,479.99 to 192 accredited Tour Companies that participated in the 2023 Hajj. This amount is intended for onward disbursement to their respective pilgrims, while the remaining participating companies will also be refunded after due reconciliation,” the statement said.

The commission also called on all 2025 Hajj intending pilgrims to promptly deposit their 2025 Hajj fares with their respective State Pilgrims Boards to ensure timely transmission of funds to NAHCON.

It expressed commitment to facilitate early arrangements of the 2025 Hajj exercise in strict compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.