Nigerian intending pilgrims for the 2022 Hajj from southern Nigeria are to pay N2,496,815.29, while their counterparts from the northern part of the country will pay N2,449,607.89.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON), announced the costs through its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zikrullah Hassan, in an extraordinary meeting with Chief Executives of Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards at its headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission, in an issued press statement, said intending pilgrims departing from Adamawa and Borno will pay N2,408,197.89 because of their proximity to Saudi Arabia. They will also get their Covid-19 PCR test done at a discounted rate of N30,000.
The air ticket cost is the major difference in the Hajj fare.
The statement added that the Commission had requested for an increase in the number of pilgrims from Nigeria and was awaiting a response from Saudi Arabia.
He enjoined Pilgrims’ Welfare Commissions at the States level to continue to work on the number of pilgrims allocated to them rather than wait for an increased allocation.
He stated that while visas for officials and pilgrims in the inaugural flight were ready, States should start visa processing for all categories of registered pilgrims.
Hassan also stated that the Nigeria Immigration Service had promised to assist States having problems in processing travel passports for pilgrims.
NAHCON urged States to conclude funds remittances speedily in order to fast-track preparations and for the processing of Basic Travel Allowances (BTA) for the pilgrims.
