The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refunded N5.3 billion to State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards (SPWBs), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Armed Forces, and accredited tour operators as compensation for poorly rendered services during the 2023 Hajj. This move demonstrates NAHCON’s commitment to transparency and accountability under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman.
A breakdown of the refunds reveals that N4.47 billion was allocated to SPWBs, the FCT, and Armed Forces, while N917.14 million was refunded to 192 accredited tour companies for onward disbursement to their respective pilgrims. Additional refunds for other tour operators will follow pending reconciliation.
Each of the 73,336 affected pilgrims is entitled to N61,080. NAHCON has urged all pilgrims to contact their SPWBs or tour operators to claim their refunds. The commission also called upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to oversee the refund process to ensure transparency and accountability.
The refunds were necessitated by services, including Masha’ir electricity provisions, that were not adequately delivered by the Saudi authorities during the pilgrimage. NAHCON emphasized that the reimbursements reinforce their commitment to upholding pilgrims’ trust.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON encouraged intending pilgrims to promptly deposit their fares with their respective state boards to facilitate timely arrangements and compliance with Saudi guidelines. This proactive measure aims to enhance service quality and ensure smooth operations.
By addressing lapses and fostering accountability, NAHCON seeks to strengthen its operational credibility and ensure a seamless Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims in the future.
