The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refunded a total of N4,479,362,880.00 to State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Armed Forces due to inadequate services provided by Saudi authorities during the 2023 Hajj.
The refunds specifically address the disruption of electricity supply during the Masha’ir camping period, which led to cooling system failures and significant discomfort for the pilgrims.
In addition, NAHCON announced on Thursday that it had disbursed N917,148,479.99 to 192 accredited tour companies involved in the 2023 Hajj. These funds are intended for onward distribution to the affected pilgrims, with the remaining tour operators to receive their refunds following reconciliation.
NAHCON emphasized its commitment to transparency under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. It encouraged all pilgrims from the 2023 Hajj to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies or tour operators to claim their refunds, amounting to N61,080.00 per pilgrim.
Looking ahead, NAHCON urged intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj to promptly deposit their fares with their State Pilgrims’ Boards. This step is crucial to ensure timely fund transfers and smooth planning in line with the guidelines from the Saudi authorities.
To uphold transparency and due process, NAHCON has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other security agencies to oversee the refund process.
