The regulatory body for Hajj programmes known as The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has disclosed that the year 2023 Hajj fare is going to be influenced by distance ranging between 2,800 and 2,968.
In a press briefing, at its headquarters, Abuja, the body big boss, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan said there will be 8 different fares because of the differences in point of embarking on the pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj activities.
Zikrullah also announced that on the 16th day of Ramadan, 1444AH, equivalent to 7th April 2023, as the last day for payment of the Hajj fares for the intending pilgrims travelling from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Hajj activities,
He enumerated the 8 fares’ as follows: Two million, eight hundred and ninety thousand naira (N2,890,000:00) for pilgrims flying from Maiduguri and Yola for the pilgrimage; that for the rest of the states in the Northern states of Nigeria, each pilgrim has to pay Two million, nine hundred and Nineteen thousand Naira (N2,919,000:00).
He explained further that for intending pilgrims from South, South states the fare stands at two million, nine hundred and sixty-eight thousand Naira (N2,968,000:00). For pilgrims from Cross Rivers: Two million, nine hundred and forty-three thousand Naira (N2, 943,000:00). Ondo and Ekiti states pilgrims will pay the sum of two million, eight hundred and eighty thousand Naira (N2, 880,000:00). While Osun State Pilgrims will pay two million, nine hundred and ninety-three thousand (N2,993,000:00).
Others, such as Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States pilgrims are to pay, two million, nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand naira (N2, 999,000:00) while each pilgrim from Southeastern states of Nigeria is to pay two million, nine hundred and sixty-eight thousand naira (2,968,000:00).
The big boss also stated that in addition to the fare announcement, NAHCON announced that the payment remittance for this year ends on 21st April 2023, and each pilgrim shall have 800 dollars as Basic Travelling Allowance from the money paid.
In addition, he explained that the body also indicates that payment for Hajj through the Hajj Savings Scheme portal have been closed while informing the stakeholders that the following air carriers, as approved by the President, Muhammad Buhari shall be in operation for this year’s Hajj operations. They include Air Peace, Azman, Flynas, Aero Contractors, and Max Air, as carriers for the state’s pilgrims,
Zikrullah also stated that for the time being, Arik-Airlines and Value-jets would operate as chartered flights for private Hajj tour operators.
He also disclosed that the Commission has fixed 21st May 2023 as the inaugural flight for the 2023 Hajj operation even as he promises Nigerian pilgrims a seamless pilgrimage as all of them will be flown to Saudi Arabia in good time for the Hajj.
Zikrullah also urged the approved airlines to be above board because the Commission will have zero tolerance for flight delays, cancellations and positioning of lost capacity aircraft for the operation.
He also revealed that Saudi Arabia Hajj authorities allotted 95,000 slots to Nigeria for this year, 2023 Hajj and the Kingdom expects from all over the world three million pilgrims this year 2023.
