NAHCON Seeks Waivers To Reduce Hajj Fare
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman says they have written to some federal agencies requesting them to waive charges on pilgrimage transactions to reduce the cost of Hajj on Nigerians.
The organisations include the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), among other regulatory bodies.
He emphasised that securing the waivers would further lower Hajj expenses for Nigerian pilgrims.
The Chairman made this known when he received members of the National Assembly Sub-Technical Committee on Hajj Fare Packages.
The committee, led by Mohammed Garba Chiroma, included Hassan Bala Abubakar III, Aminu Jamo, Abubakar Abdul Buba, Abdulkarim Hussaini Ahmad, and Ja’afar A. Magaji.
They discussed issues related to airfare, accommodation, feeding, and other services and how to make the pilgrimage affordable.
Professor Usman also revealed ongoing engagements with service providers, airlines, and Saudi authorities to secure cost-effective services for Nigerian pilgrims.
On his part, Chiroma commended NAHCON’s commitment to addressing the financial burden on intending pilgrims and pledged the committee’s support in negotiating better rates and advocating for necessary government interventions.
The committee also called for a meeting with airlines for the 2025 Hajj, to further discuss ways to reduce the airfares.
The committee stressed the importance of collaborating with airline operators to ensure cost efficiency without compromising service quality.
The committee also requested breakdown of the costs, and service agreements from key stakeholders involved in Hajj logistics, to see where costs can be cut.
The sub committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage.
The Syndicate reports that the cost of the 2025 pilgrimage is between N8.32 million and N8.78 million.
