News Editor
By Olu Balogun
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has disbursed refunds amounting to N4,479,362,880.00 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Eighty Naira) to States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, SPWBs, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and the Armed Forces for poor services rendered by the Saudi authorities to the Nigerian pilgrims during the 2023 Hajj exercise.
The commission specifically disclosed that the refunds were connected to an interruption in the supply of electricity during the Masha’ir camping, which affected the cooling systems and consequently caused inconveniences to the pilgrims.
Similarly, NAHCON said in a statement issued late Thursday by its Head, Public Affairs, Muhammad Ahmad Musa that
it has refunded a sum of N917,148,479.99 (Nine hundred and seventeen million, one hundred and forty-eight thousand, four hundred and seventy-nine Naira, ninety-nine kobo) to 192 accredited tour companies that participated in the 2023 Hajj.
The commission explained that “this amount is intended for onward disbursement to their respective pilgrims, while the remaining participating companies will also be refunded after due reconciliation.”
“This refund underscores NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations.
“All pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj are advised to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards and Commissions or Tour Operators to claim their refunds.
“Each pilgrim, is entitled to receive a refund of N61,080.00. (Sixty One Thousand, Eighty Naira only). A detailed breakdown of the number of pilgrims per state,” the statement stressed.
NAHCON, however, called on all the 2025 Hajj intending pilgrims to promptly deposit their Hajj fares with their respective State Pilgrims Boards.
It explained that “this measure is essential to ensure the timely transmission of funds to NAHCON, thereby facilitating early arrangements of the 2025 Hajj in strict compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The commission also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and other relevant security agencies to closely monitor the refunds arrangement in the interest of transparency and due process.
This collaboration, it said, aims to ensure that all refunds are appropriately disbursed and reached the intended beneficiaries without any discrepancy.
