Inflation: 2023 Hajj pilgrims to pay N2.98 million each
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said that intending Hajj pilgrims will pay the sum of N2.89 million for this year’s journey to the holy land of Mecca.
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The Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, who made the disclosure on Friday, attributed the hike to the increment of inflation in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the price is of 8 categories, with Borno and Yobe States as the lowest price while the highest is Lagos and Ogun States which are pegged at N2.99 million.
Daily Trust gathered that this year’s increase is over N300,000 compared to what was paid during the 2022 hajj.
“Hajj fare has 8 different costs, pilgrims from Maiduguri and Yola will pay 2.89 million, other northern states 2.919 million,” Hassan said.
“The southern part of the country has six different prices, Edo State and the other states in the South-South and South East will pay N2.96 million , while Ekiti and Ondo States will pay N2.88m, Osun State will pay N2.99 million while Cross River will pay N2.943 million and Lagos, Ogun and Oyo to pay N2.99 million,” he stated.
He explained that the difference in price among states in the country is because states in the north are closer to Saudi Arabia than the states in the south and accommodation secured by each state also determines the amount they would pay.
He noted that Air Peace, Azman Air, Fly Nas, Aero Contractors and Max Air are aircraft approved to airlift pilgrims while Arik Air and Value jet were approved as chartered aircraft for private tour operators.
He added that the Commission would close the portal for those who choose hajj saving schemes by April 21.
“We decided to do this to ensure that all operation activities are not dragged and May 21 will be the inaugural flight. We are committed to taking every single citizen that registered for hajj this year.”
“The reason for the increase is due to the inflation rate in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, the high cost of goods and services in Saudi Arabia and the scarcity of aviation fuel.
“Also, there has been an increase in the exchange of naira to the dollar at the official rate, we tried to keep the fare at a minimum level while taking a view of the economic condition of the people going for hajj.”
According to Hassan, the hike in the fare is not peculiar to Nigeria as other countries who have declared their hajj fare announced increases.
“There is a hike from other parts of the world like Ghana, Pakistan, India, Niger among others,” he said.
He assured that there would not be any obstacles during the process as it would not tolerate delays in ferrying pilgrims to the holy land.
