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Tag: The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)

  • NAHCON signs Mashaer facilities agreement

    NAHCON signs Mashaer facilities agreement

    •Lagos inspects Muna tents

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) yesterday said it has taken over the management of the improved Masha’er tent facilities from service provider, Mashariq Al-Dhabiyya.

    A statement by its Public Affairs Officer, Malam Muhammad Musa, in Makkah, said the commission took charge of the tent facilities management in collaboration with all state Muslim pilgrims welfare boards, agencies and commissions,

    He said the development aimed at enhancing the comfort and experience of Nigerian pilgrims.

    Musa said the handover, marked by mutual satisfaction and optimism, signified a new chapter in the provision of standardised, high-quality services for Nigerian pilgrims.

    “Among the notable upgrades are the installation of modern cooling systems, additional large shading umbrellas above the traditional tents,” he said.

    He said that for the first time, provision of seven extra tents were reserved as backups to cater to any unforeseen needs during the Hajj exercise.

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    “The agreement, described as a win-win for both parties, promises to deliver a unique and more comfortable Hajj experience for the Nigerian pilgrims in this 2025 operation,” Musa said.

    Meanwhile, representatives of Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, on Tuesday, joined officials of NAHCON and other states Muslim Pilgrims Boards, to inspect facilities available in the Muna and Arafah tents in preparation for the main Hajj rites.

    The Lagos State team, led by Chairman, Muna and Arafah sub-committee, Imam Shakiru Gafar, expressed satisfaction over the tents allocated to the state in the Mashaer.

    While stating that Lagos State and NAHCON were jointly allocated tent number 162 by the service provider, Ekram Aldyf Company, he added that there were a lot of improvements in the facilities provided in the tents aimed at making the stay of the pilgrims remarkable and comfortable to perform the Hajj rituals in Muna and Arafah.

    The main Hajj rites will begin on Wednesday when pilgrims would proceed from Makkah to Muna.

  • NAHCON seeks 2% CBN’s charge removal to reduce hajj fare

    NAHCON seeks 2% CBN’s charge removal to reduce hajj fare

    The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to waive the two per cent charge imposed on pilgrims’ funds to further reduce the hajj fare.

    Speaking in Abuja, Saleh said one of his major priorities since assuming office was to reduce the cost of hajj and make it more affordable for Muslims across the country.

     “I am confident that lowering hajj fares will bring relief to our pilgrims, leaders, and the entire Muslim Ummah,” he said.

    Saleh announced that he had engaged key service providers, including airliners, Masha’ir service providers, accommodation providers, and transportation companies, in collaboration with the Forum of State Pilgrims Welfare Agencies to make hajj operations more convenient.

    The NAHCON chairman said the negotiations had yielded significant reductions in service costs.

    Commenting on Masha’ir services, he said pilgrims were charged 4,770 Saudi Riyals last year, but following discussions, NAHCON secured a reduction of over 700 Saudi Riyals per pilgrim.

    He added: “On 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. Last year’s transportation cost stood at 1,300 Riyals per pilgrim, but this year, we successfully negotiated a 130 Riyal reduction per pilgrim.

    “We have worked on the airfare. Given Nigeria’s geographical diversity, airfare costs vary across regions. However, we have secured a $399 reduction per pilgrim.

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     “These reductions have significantly impacted the overall hajj fare, and we are still expecting further adjustments.”

    Stressing that NAHCON was not asking for government’s subsidies, Saleh urged authorities to consider selling dollars to the commission at the official government exchange rate.

    The agency chairman noted that the request, if approved, would further lower hajj fares and take a lot of burden off the shoulders of pilgrims.

    “We have estimated the dollar exchange rate at N1,550, N1,600, and N1,650. 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,” he said.

    Saleh urged governors to support pilgrims’ boards in their states by providing loans for them to settle payments with NAHCON before the final payment deadline set by Saudi Arabian authority.

    The NAHCON chairman explained that the commission has no control over payment deadline but could only appeal to the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj for an extension, if necessary. He urged intending pilgrims to complete their payments promptly to avoid any last-minute issues.

    Saleh also urged states’ pilgrims’ welfare agencies and other stakeholders to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to ensure that intending pilgrims understand the importance of timely payment and proper preparation to have a successful hajj pilgrimage.