NAHCON eliminates dollar payments for Hajj to lower fares
The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has announced the removal of the use of the dollar for Hajj-related payments in an effort to reduce the soaring cost of Hajj fares.
This decision was revealed by the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Argungu at his palace.
Professor Usman explained that the requirement to pay for essential Hajj activities, such as flights, in dollars has significantly driven up the cost of the pilgrimage, making it unaffordable for many Nigerians.
He praised the Federal Government for its support, particularly the Hajj subsidy, but expressed concerns over the delayed payment of Hajj fares, which has led to Nigeria not filling its allocated quota of pilgrims.
The Chairman urged traditional and religious leaders to assist in facilitating the removal of the dollar from pilgrimage transactions by engaging the relevant stakeholders.
He pointed out that while pilgrims pay in Naira for Umrah, airlines and other service providers still demand dollar payments for Hajj, creating unnecessary obstacles for many prospective pilgrims.
Saleh stressed that resolving this issue could result in a significant reduction in Hajj fares for the 2025 pilgrimage.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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