NAHCON to Refund Nigerian Pilgrims N64,679 Each for Unrendered Services During 2023 Hajj
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that it would refund SR150 (N64,679) each to 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj exercise.
NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Olanrewaju-Elegushi, disclosed this in a statement by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Olanrewaju-Elegushi explained that the refund is for services not rendered by the Saudi Hajj Ministry at Masha’ir during the last Hajj.
“All 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims that travelled for Hajj in 2023 from both states and private operators are to receive SR150 each (one hundred and fifty Saudi Riyals) as refund,” he said.
He disclosed that NAHCON has already started working towards making the payments
Mr Olanrewaju-Elegushi also provided some updates on issues concerning refunds requested by Private Tour Operators, (PTOs).
He said one of the decision reached during the tour was that instead of 20 lead companies earlier slated to spearhead the conduct of 2025 Hajj from the private sector, the number has been reduced to 10 by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).
He added that “the ministry has stipulated that each company must register minimum of 2,000 pilgrims to be considered for Hajj visa approval.”
Mr Olanrewaju-Elegushi further clarified that contrary to claims that NAHCON owes PTOs N17 billion from the 2024 Hajj caution deposit of N25m, it received only N2 billion, 750million from 110 companies that registered for the 2024 Hajj.
“The amount included a roll-over of N1billion, 250m from the previous year. From the amount, 30 companies requested for refunds amounting to N750m which has been paid. The balance still in the custody of the Commission accruing to undecided PTOs is N750m,” he said.
On the 2022 refund, Mr Olanrewaju-Elegushi said the Commission is still awaiting details.
He, however, revealed that details have emerged only for PTOs that camped on Field Office 18 in 2022.
