JUST IN: Hajj 2023: NAHCON Announces Refund of SR150 to 95,000 Nigerian Pilgrims
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a refund of SR150 (one hundred and fifty Saudi Riyals) each to the 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims who traveled for Hajj in 2023.
This was disclosed by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, during a virtual meeting with Private Tour Operators in Nigeria (PTOs) on Monday.
INCNews247 reports that the meeting, which aimed to update members on resolutions reached after the resumption of office by Acting Chairman, Prof Abdullahi Sale Pakistan, also addressed key issues affecting the 2025 Hajj preparations.
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Prince Elegushi informed the PTOs that the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU) has reduced the number of lead companies for the 2025 Hajj from 20 to 10, with each company required to register a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims for Hajj visa approval.
Regarding refunds, Prince Elegushi revealed that details have emerged only for PTOs that camped on Field Office 18 in 2022, with a collective refund of SR62,602 (sixty-two thousand six hundred and two thousand Saudi Riyals) for poor feeding in the Masha’ir.
He added that NAHCON has already started working towards making the 2023 refunds.
To facilitate smooth operations for the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON’s EXCO has approved the option of honouring Bank Guarantee as payment of N40 million Caution Deposit.
The registration deadline has been extended to 11:59 pm Friday, October 11.
However, Prince Elegushi clarified that there will be no concessionary exchange rate from the government for Hajj fare payment.
NAHCON also addressed contentious issues surrounding the 2024 Hajj caution deposit.
Contrary to claims of N17 billion, Prince Elegushi explained that the Commission received only N2.75 billion from 110 companies.
Thirty companies requested refunds amounting to N750 million, which has been paid, leaving a balance of N750 million in the Commission’s custody for undecided PTOs.
INCNews247 further learnt that to resolve outstanding issues, NAHCON and PTOs will embark on a visit to Saudi Arabia to address trapped IBAN deposits, unexplained refunds, and limited Umrah visa.
