…As commission allocates 2024 Hajj slots to states
The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan has disclosed that the next year Hajj is going to be expensive going by the current economic reality ocassioned by the constant fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
The Chairman disclosed this today during a press briefing held at Hajj House, Abuja as part of activities for the review of the 2023 Hajj operations.
Alhaji Hassan noted that forex is currently at 740 Naira to the US dollar, saying that stability or otherwise of the exchange rate will determine the 2024 Hajj fares.
“I must tell you that next year’s Hajj is going to be expensive and this is something we must prepare for. We must prepare for this starting from today.
“I’m not saying that we will be able to know the cost today. What we must know is that the next Hajj is going to be expensive. And I must tell you why.
“Gone forever it appears is the age of concessionary rates. As we speak now, the FOREX is at 740 Naira to the US dollar.
“So if you multiply that with the dollars of the last Hajj, then imagine how many more millions you will need to add to the cost of Hajj in 2024. So, that is to tell you to prepare ahead, it is a fact that it is going to cost more” he added.
While acknowledging the fact that the 2023 Hajj pilgrims faced some challenges in Muna, the NAHCON Chairman expressed joy that the challenges have been jointly identified and addressed amicably by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the NAHCON.
He hinted that Saudi authority has come up with a new policy of closing issuance of Visa 40 to 50 days to before Arafat to be able to ascertain the total number of pilgrims to be catered for during the period.
The well attended meeting also featured executive chairmen of states, agencies, and tour operators, as well as many other stakeholders.
Weanwhile, the Commission has allocated 2024 Hajj slots to states across the federation.
The total sum of 71, 000 slots have been allocated to 34 states including FCT with the exception of Abia and Akwa Ibom states.
