NAHCON: Service contract review, FG support prevented waste during 2025 hajj

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says its decision to amend contracts with service providers during the 2025 pilgrimage prevented waste and reduced fares for Nigerian pilgrims.

Abdullahi Usman, chairman of NAHCON, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing stakeholders on the conduct of this year’s exercise, which he described as one of the most successful in the country’s recent history.

He said the 2025 hajj marked “a turning point” for Nigerian pilgrims despite economic and logistical challenges, adding that operations were redefined in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

“It is to be noted that in an attempt to reduce the 2025 hajj fare, NAHCON amended its contract with Mashariq Al-Dhahabia to align services with the actual number of registered pilgrims (52,544), down from the initial projection of 95,000,” Usman said.

“This proactive adjustment prevented waste of funds as well as the reduction of Hajj fare for pilgrims.”

The chairman added that Nigerian pilgrims and NAHCON have received “unprecedented support” under the present administration, restoring confidence in the system and reaffirming transparency and efficiency.

FG’S INTERVENTIONS

The NAHCON chairman recalled that Tinubu approved a N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 hajj exercise to cushion the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on pilgrims and an additional N24 billion to settle outstanding payments to airlines from 2023.

The federal government, he said, also intervened in negotiations with carriers to accept payments in naira, shielding pilgrims from forex shocks.

“Another relief for pilgrims came with the suspension of the Central Bank’s credit card policy for Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) payments, which could have disadvantaged many Nigerians due to low awareness and inadequate sensitisation,” Usman added.

He said the federal government has expanded the hajj savings scheme by onboarding more banks, giving young people and low-income earners a structured pathway to prepare financially for the pilgrimage.

On transparency, Usman said N5.3 billion was refunded to state pilgrims’ welfare boards for services not provided during the 2023 hajj.

“This act of transparency restored confidence, promoted accountability, and underscored the Commission’s commitment to efficient and honest service delivery,” he said.

According to him, pilgrims’ welfare was boosted this year with the federal government providing 98 percent of medical supplies while health workers were fully mobilised to deliver round-the-clock care.

He listed further savings achieved across service components: a 720 SAR cut for Mashair services, 200 SAR on Madinah accommodation, 303 SAR on transport fares, and airfare reductions of $116 for the North-Central/North-West, $149 for the North-East, and $138 for the South.

“The progress made so far is a reflection of President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and empathy for Nigerian pilgrims,” Usman said.

“NAHCON will remain fully committed to sustaining and improving on these gains so that every Nigerian pilgrim embarks on Hajj with pride, dignity, and fulfilment.”