Kaaba in Mecca
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says it processes refunds to Nigerian pilgrims after Hajj operations, not before.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Alhaji Shafii Sani, an official in the Information and Publications Division of NAHCON.
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) had few hours ago raised concern over N437,000 as differential from the exchange rates used to calculate the 2025 Hajj fare for each intending pilgrim.
IHR, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, called the leadership of NAHCON not to wait until after the forthcoming Hajj to refund the differentials since the money was already in its coffers.
IHR coordinator recalled that NAHCON had announced a Hajj fare of over N8 million and fixed a deadline of Feb. 10 for all payments to be deposited into its account.
“An analysis of the 2025 Hajj fare templates indicates that the commission had fixed N1600 to a dollar and the dollar component within the templates shows that intending pilgrims from the North paid 4,704.18 dollar while their Southern counterparts paid 4,908.18 dollar
“Further analysis indicated that the cost of exchange of Naira to a dollar on Feb. 13 was N1,507 which gives a difference of N93 to each dollar.
IHR said that based on its calculations, each of the 26,287 pilgrims who paid ahead of the deadline should be refunded an average of N437,000 each
However, the NAHCON official said, “NAHCON acknowledges the concerns raised by the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) regarding foreign exchange differentials in the 2025 Hajj fare.
“However, it is important to clarify that refunds, if applicable, are traditionally processed after Hajj operations, not before.
“This ensures proper financial reconciliation, prevents disruptions in service delivery, and guarantees that all necessary expenses for the pilgrimage are fully covered before making any financial adjustments.
“NAHCON urges IHR, with other stakeholders, to prioritise supporting the Commission in delivering a smooth and successful pilgrimage rather than making premature demands that could mislead the public or create unnecessary anxiety among intending pilgrims.”
According to Sani, it is also important to note that Hajj planning involves multiple financial commitments, including airfare, accommodation, feeding, and local transportation, all of which are subject to international market fluctuations.
He said these factors must be carefully managed to avoid unintended financial setbacks that could compromise the experience and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
“NAHCON remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of Hajj funds.
“Any legitimate financial adjustments will be addressed after the Hajj exercise when all expenditures have been accounted for.
“Pilgrims and stakeholders can rest assured that the Commission will act in their best interest.
“Our collective priority should be the welfare of the pilgrims and the overall success of Hajj 2025.
“NAHCON remains open to constructive engagement and welcomes genuine collaboration toward achieving this goal,” Sani said.(NAN)
