The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed the fixed amount of money to be paid by each intending pilgrim for 2023.
The chairman of the Commission Zikrullah Hassan on Friday April 7 revealed that each intending pilgrim is to pay the sum of N2.89m as hajj fare for 2023.
The Chairman attributed the increase in the amount to inflation in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Hassan clarified that the price varies per states, as those from Borno and Yobe States stand the chance of paying the lowest price while intending pilgrims from Lagos and Ogun States pay highest of N2.99m.
Newsmen observe that the increase was over 300,000 compared to what was obtainable last year 2022 Hajj.
“Hajj fare has 8 different costs, pilgrims from Maiduguri and Yola, will pay 2.89m other northern states 2.919m. The southern part of the country has six different prices, Edo State and the other states in the South South and South East will pay N2.96m while Ekiti and Ondo States will pay N2.88m, Osun State will pay N2.99m. Cross River to pay N2.943m and Lagos, Ogun and Oyo to pay N2.99m,” he stated.
While explaining the disparity in the price, he said states in the north are closer to Saudi Arabia than the southern Nigerian states.
He added that the kind of accommodation secured by each state is another determinant of the price to be paid.
He said the air organizations programmed for the Hajj from states are; Air Peace, Azman Air, Fly Nas, Aero Contractors and Max Air while Arik Air and Value jet were approved as chartered aircraft for private tour operators.
He said portal would be closed for those who are into Hajj saving schemes by April 21.
“We decided to do this to ensure that all operation activities are not dragged and May 21 will be the inaugural flight. We are committed to take every single citizen that registered for hajj this year.”
“The reason for the increase is due to inflation rate in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, high cost of goods and services in Saudi Arabia and scarcity of aviation fuel. Also, there has been an increase in the exchange of naira to dollar at the official rate, we tried to keep the fare at a minimum level while taking a view of the economic condition of the people going for hajj.”
He said the increase in the fare is not peculiar to Nigeria alone as other countries that have announced the fare for their pilgrimage have inflated the price.
“There is hike from other parts of the world like Ghana, Pakistan, India, Niger among others,” he said
He also said there would not be barriers during the exercise as delay in ferrying pilgrims to the holy land would not be tolerated.
