By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed 30th January, 2025 as the new deadline for the registration of intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj exercise.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Board, Mohammed Lawal Aliyu, the new deadline was in line with the adjustment by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) of the 2025 calendar directing state Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to remit all collections by 1st of February.
The Board disclosed that it already exhausted over 40% of its allocation for this year’s Hajj since the commencement of the registration in September last year.
He urged intending pilgrims to utilize the opportunity to make deposit for the hajj before the new deadline to benefit from the Board’s outstanding services in Hajj operations.
The Spokesperson disclosed that prospective Intending Pilgrims are to deposit a minimum of Eight Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N8, 400,000.00) only via a bank draft from any commercial bank payable to FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abuja to book for their seat across the six area councils and the head office of the Board located at the central business district, Abuja pending the release of the actual Hajj fare by the NAHCON.
He stressed that the registration is on first-come–first–served basis via a Bank draft in line with the principle of fairness in the services of residents of the territory.
He explained that Intending Pilgrims who have made deposit but could not participate in previous hajj exercises and still have their money with the Board are to ensure that they top up their payment to reach the minimum deposit before the new deadline to book for a seat.
He re-emphasized the readiness of the Board to intensify efforts toward enhancing services to the registered Intending Pilgrims through the new strategies introduced for the forthcoming Hajj exercise.
