The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has appealed for an urgent waiver of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 2 per cent service charge to reduce the increased pressure on Hajj fares in the country.

The single digital sub-charge on pilgrims’ deposits for the 2025 pilgrimage, already with the Apex Bank, runs into billions of naira.

NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Usman Pakistan, said removing the imposed 2 per cent charge would significantly reduce the hike in Hajj fares.

Professor Pakistan spoke at the weekend in Abuja and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the Commission fulfils its mandate of enhancing the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, essentially vowing to make Hajj more affordable for Muslims.

Though the NAHCON boss said the commission is not making a request for government subsidies for the 2025 Hajj, he, however, appealed to the CBN to consider selling dollars to pilgrims at the official exchange rate while removing the 2 per cent charge.

This, Professor Pakistan believed, would further ease the pain of intending pilgrims and lower Hajj fares in the country. Besides, he highlighted the significant reduction secured in the cost of almost all the services being rendered after negotiations.

“I am confident that lowering Hajj fares will bring relief to our pilgrims, leaders, and the entire Muslim Ummah. To achieve this goal, we engaged key Hajj service providers, including airliners, Masha’ir service providers, accommodation providers, and transportation companies, to cut their rates.

“For instance, in Masha’ir service, pilgrims were charged 4,770 Saudi Riyals in the 2024 Hajj, but after our discussions, NAHCON secured a reduction of 700 Saudi Riyals per pilgrim, about 4,070 SR reduction.

“In the area of accommodation in Madinah, the cost per bed space was 5,000 Riyals last year, but a reduction of 200 Riyals per pilgrim has been achieved for the 2025 Hajj. In the area of transportation, a cost of 1,300 Riyals was charged per pilgrim, but this year, NAHCON successfully negotiated a 130 Riyal reduction per pilgrim.

“Given Nigeria’s geographical diversity, airfare costs vary across regions. However, NAHCON was able to secure a $399 reduction per pilgrim. These reductions have significantly impacted the overall Hajj fare, and we are still expecting further adjustments,” Professor Pakistan added.

On the controversial benchmark used for the exchange rate, the NAHCON chairman explained: “We have estimated the dollar exchange rate at ₦1,550, ₦1,600, and ₦1,650, but given the fluctuations, we settled on a moderate rate. If we secure a reduction in forex rates, we will refund any savings to the pilgrims.”

Professor Saleh also called on state governors to support their respective State Pilgrims Welfare Agencies by providing loans that would enable them to settle payments with NAHCON before the final payment deadline set by Saudi authorities.

On the deadline for Hajj fare payments, the NAHCON chairman clarified that the Commission has no control over the deadline but can only appeal to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj for an extension if necessary.

He urged intending pilgrims to complete their payments promptly to avoid any last-minute issues.