The fare for intending pilgrims for 2023 hajj has been fixed at N2.89m by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure on Friday, attributing the increment to inflation in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Hassan said the price is of 8 categories, with Borno and Yobe States as the lowest price while the highest is Lagos and Ogun States, N2.99m.
The increase is over N300,000 compared to what was paid during the 2022 hajj operations
“Hajj fare has eight distinct prices; pilgrims from Maiduguri and Yola will pay 2.89 million; those from other northern states will pay 2.919 million. Six different prices apply to the southern region of the nation: Osun State will pay N2.99 million, while Ekiti and Ondo States will pay N2.88 million. Edo State and the other states in the South South and South East will pay N2.96 million. “Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo will pay N2.99 million, while Cross River will pay N2.943 million,” he said.
According to him, the states in the north are closer to Saudi Arabia than the states in the south, and the amount each state would pay also depends on the type of lodging they are able to get.
He said that Arik Air and Value Jet were authorised as chartered aircraft for private tour operators while Air Peace, Azman Air, Fly Nas, Aero Contractors, and Max Air were permitted for the airlift of pilgrims from states.
He further stated that the Commission would shut down the portal by April 21 for those who select hajj savings plans.
“We made this decision to prevent any operation-related operations from dragging, and May 21 will mark the first flight. Every single person who registered for the hajj this year will be taken, we promise.
“Inflation rates in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, Saudi Arabia’s high cost of goods and services, and the limited supply of aviation fuel are to blame for the increase. Furthermore, despite the official naira to dollar exchange rate increasing, we made an effort to make the ticket as low as possible while also considering the financial situation of those doing the hajj.
He continued by saying that other nations whose hajj fares had been disclosed had also announced fare increases, not just in Nigeria.
He claimed that there was a spike coming from places around the world, including Ghana, Pakistan, India, and Niger.
Also, he gave the assurance that there wouldn’t be any difficulties because delays in transporting pilgrims to the holy place would not be tolerated
