The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed that Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the last Hajj exercise will get a refund of N95,000 each, News About Nigeria reports.
The refund announcement was made by NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Anofi Olanrewaju-Elegushi, in a statement by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, on Monday in Abuja.
In the statement, Olanrewaju-Elegushi explained that the refund is for services not rendered by the Saudi Hajj Ministry at Masha’ir during the last Hajj.
“All 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims that travelled for Hajj in 2023 from both states and private operators are to receive SR150 each (one hundred and fifty Saudi Riyals) as a refund,” the statement partly reads.
Olanrewaju-Elegushi further revealed that NAHCON has already started working to make the payments to the pilgrims.
He further pledged the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian participant in the 2023 Hajj gets their complete refund without any delay and unnecessary stress.
In the statement, the Commissioner also provided some updates on issues concerning refunds requested by private tour operators (PTOs).
He clarified that contrary to claims that NAHCON owes PTOs N17 billion from the 2024 Hajj caution deposit of N25 million, it received only N2 billion, or 750 million, from 110 companies that registered for the 2024 Hajj.
He explained, “The amount included a rollover of N1 billion, 250 million from the previous year. From the amount, 30 companies requested refunds amounting to N750 million, which has been paid.”
He further noted that “the balance still in the custody of the Commission accruing to undecided PTOs is N750 million.”
