2025 Hajj: NAHCON saves N50b for pilgrims as Radda seeks dollar subsidy

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that it has successfully saved Nigerian pilgrims about N50 billion ahead of the 2025 Hajj exercise.

NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, on Saturday.

He revealed that through strategic negotiations and engagements with service providers in Saudi Arabia, the Commission was able to significantly slash costs.

“Through discussions and engagements with service providers in Saudi Arabia, we have been able to save approximately N50 billion for our pilgrims, and we are still working on securing additional reductions,” Usman said.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State, in a statement on Sunday, further quoted the NAHCON chairman as saying that initial projections had put the 2025 Hajj fare at over N10 million.

“However, due to our efforts, we have successfully reduced it to N8 million, and we are still negotiating further reductions. Insha’Allah, if we receive additional waivers, the fare will be further reduced,” the NAHCON chairman added.

Usman identified key challenges facing the Commission, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria’s two per cent charge on remittances.

“Last year, the Federal Government provided a N90 billion subsidy, yet N1.7 billion was deducted as charges. Given that this year’s total remittance is projected to reach nearly N500 billion, the deduction could amount to over N20 billion,” he noted.

The chairman lamented that aviation-related charges constitute approximately 65 per cent of the total Hajj costs.

He indicated that the Commission has already initiated requests for waivers or reductions in these charges, which could potentially lead to further decreases in the Hajj fare.

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NAHCON appealed for the governor’s support in engaging relevant authorities to secure these waivers, stressing the importance of making the pilgrimage more affordable for Nigerian Muslims.

Speaking, the governor called for reforms to improve the operations of the Hajj Commission.

Radda reflected on the 2024 Hajj operations in Katsina, where he outlined several challenges, including the impact of currency depreciation on pilgrimage costs.

The governor also proposed reducing the pilgrimage duration from 40 days to three or four weeks to minimise costs.

“Last year, Hajj operations faced significant difficulties, causing distress to many intending pilgrims and the government alike. Despite these challenges, we managed to send about 2,700 pilgrims from Katsina State. I question why our pilgrims are required to spend up to 40 days in Saudi Arabia after Hajj, while those on international Hajj programs complete their pilgrimage in just 5 to 7 days,” he said.

Addressing medical concerns, Radda revealed that his administration had to supplement NAHCON’s medical supplies last year.

Stressing the need for preventive healthcare, he recommended that malaria medication be given to pilgrims before departure to prevent serious health complications.

The governor also disclosed that Katsina State provided significant financial support to its pilgrims in 2024, including over N500 million for animal sacrifice (Hadya).

He explained that the Federal Government’s intervention in subsidising the exchange rate for Hajj payments has been beneficial, urging President Bola Tinubu to continue such support.

“I’ll be meeting with other Northwest governors to discuss this issue and collectively raise it with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find a lasting solution,” the governor assured the NAHCON delegation.

On his part, NAHCON Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate & Licensing, Prince Anofi Elegushi, provided detailed updates on operational preparations for the 2025 Hajj exercise.

He said that while significant progress has been made in reducing costs for offshore services in Saudi Arabia, domestic charges remain a challenge.

According to him, another major concern is securing waivers from relevant agencies, particularly in the aviation sector, assuring that “if these agencies grant us a waiver, it will have a direct impact on airfare and will significantly reduce the overall cost for pilgrims.”

The commissioner announced that following a rigorous screening process, four airlines have been shortlisted for the 2025 Hajj operations: Flynas, Max Air, Air Peace, and OMSA.

Addressing payment challenges, Commissioner Elegushi urged state governments to consider advancing funds on behalf of their pilgrims.

“We appeal to state governments to front-load payments for their pilgrims, which will later be deducted during the reconciliation process. This will ensure that we meet the deadline without putting pressure on individual pilgrims,” he said.