The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has fixed February 14, 2025, as the deadline for the remittance of Hajj fares into the Tour Operators’ International Bank Account Number (IBAN) accounts.

This decision was reached at a meeting between NAHCON and Licensed Tour Operators held on Thursday, where it was also resolved that the deadline must be met to facilitate visa issuance, which is scheduled to commence on February 19, 2025.

NAHCON Assistant Director, Information and Publications, Fatima Usara, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the discussions at the meeting were to give and receive updates on preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations.

Speaking, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullah Saleh Usman, called for discussions that would focus on promoting understanding toward improving service delivery for Nigerian private pilgrims.

He enjoined officials to remember why all members are in Saudi Arabia – for the sake of intending pilgrims – while welcoming observations, questions, suggestions, and constructive criticisms.

According to the statement, it was disclosed at the meeting that “February 14, 2025, is the deadline for remittance of Hajj fare into the Tour Operators’ IBAN accounts in order to meet up with visa issuance, which would begin by February 19, 2025.”

Similarly, it was resolved that LPTOs are free to affiliate with any of the 10 leading companies across the zones, except where the lead company had reached the 2,000 pilgrims limit.

Usara insisted that the 10 lead companies remain unchanged.

“NAHCON and the LPTOs reaffirmed their commitment to adhere to their common interest, which is providing the best services for pilgrims while maintaining inclusivity in the process. Both parties expressed the need to accommodate one another for a seamless Hajj exercise to be achieved,” the statement added.