The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed the unfortunate demise of 30 Nigerian pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
This announcement was made by the Commission’s Chairman, Mallam Jalal Arabi, during a post-Hajj briefing in Abuja on Monday.
Mallam Arabi revealed that the 2024 Hajj was marked by some of the harshest weather conditions ever recorded, which significantly impacted the health of the pilgrims.
He noted that about four to five of the deceased succumbed to the extreme heat wave, despite prior warnings and preventive measures.
“It is very true that the 2024 Hajj experienced one of the harshest weathers ever.
“ But the good thing is that we were informed well in advance. We provided safety kits, including umbrellas and innovative fans, to safeguard the pilgrims,” Arabi stated.
He emphasised that despite these efforts, the loss of lives could not be entirely prevented, acknowledging the natural limitations in averting such tragedies.
In addition to addressing the tragic losses, Arabi also provided an in-depth explanation of the financial difficulties faced by pilgrims due to an unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates.
The initial Hajj fare was set at N4.9 million, but the depreciation of the Naira necessitated a revision to N8 million.
To mitigate these challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a N90 billion subsidy to ease the financial burden on pilgrims.
The subsidy, as detailed by Arabi, was crucial in stabilizing the financial situation for the pilgrims.
“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion, except for those under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), who enjoyed more,” he explained.
“ This financial relief ensured that registered pilgrims, except new registrants, only needed to pay an additional N1,918,094.87.
“New registrants, however, were required to pay the full amount of N8,454,464.74, being excluded from the subsidy.
NAHCON distribution plan to ensure the equitable allocation of the N90 billion subsidy among the pilgrims.
The plan was designed to ensure that all stakeholders involved in the 2024 Hajj, including state pilgrims’ welfare boards and officials, benefited from the government’s support. This was crucial in maintaining the financial stability of the pilgrimage exercise.
Arabi further disclosed that the commission, in agreement with state pilgrims’ representatives, approved a Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of $500 per pilgrim.
The BTA was initially remitted at an exchange rate of N1,252 per dollar, amounting to N626,000 per pilgrim.
However, subsequent fluctuations in exchange rates led to discrepancies in the actual amount received by pilgrims, a situation NAHCON is addressing with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In closing, Arabi assured that NAHCON remains committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.
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