About three days to the close of payment deadline, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced N8.5 million as a fresh fare for the 2024 Hajj.
This is an increase of N3.5 million over the N4.9 million earlier announced.
It also disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, adding that those who had earlier paid the N4.9 million former rate would have to pay additional N1.9 million each not later than March 28.
All these details were contained in the statement on Sunday by Fatima Sanda Usara, an Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON.
It attributed the sudden increase in Hajj fare to the sharp rise in the foreign exchange rate.
It stated, “Late remittances of Hajj fare by those concerned necessitated the adjustments, resulting in two date shifts with the final being 12th of February 2024.
Remember that as at 31st December 2023, Naira was still at N897:00 to a Dollar at the banks.
“These shifts unfortunately pushed the Hajj fare collection deadline to fall after harmonisation of foreign exchange rates, presenting a new and significant challenge.
“What the harmonisation meant in the Hajj fare equation was that in the face of global financial challenges, coupled with the new forex policy, Nigerian pilgrims would now be saddled with an unexpected increase in Hajj cost, despite having already paid the fixed fare of about N4.9 million.”
Despite the intervention of the Federal Government states and affluent Individuals to bring down the fare, NAHCON said it “resolved that each pilgrim would now have to pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 in accordance with the current foreign exchange rate.
“Intending pilgrims that still wish to participate in the 2024 Hajj are by this release advised to proceed and pay a balance of N1,918,032.91 latest by 11:59 pm of 28th March 2024.
“The Commission will shut down its system by 29th March and no other payment would be accommodated after.
Affected pilgrims are advised to visit their respective state pilgrims boards to confirm their status.”
It added, “Registration for 2024 Hajj from today, 24th of March will attract the full sum of N8,225, 464.74 from the Adamawa/Borno axis.
“From the North zone, fresh depositors will pay N8, 254, 464.74 whereas fresh payments from the southern zone will attract N8, 454, 464.74 as Hajj fare. All categories are to pay within the same deadline.”
