By Jabiru Hassan
CSO Renews Call for Refund of Excess 2025 Hajj Fare to Nigerian Pilgrims**A faith-based civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has renewed its demand for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to refund excess 2025 Hajj fare paid by more than 44,000 Nigerian pilgrims. The group made the call on Monday, citing discrepancies between the exchange rate used to calculate the 2025 Hajj fare and the actual rate applied when service payments were made.In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, IHR said each pilgrim is entitled to a refund ranging from ₦400,000 to ₦437,000 following the completion of the 2025 Hajj financial reconciliation. The group stressed that with preparations already underway for the 2026 Hajj, the refund should be issued without delay.
Exchange Rate Gap Caused Excess Charges, CSO Says
According to IHR, NAHCON computed the 2025 Hajj fare using an exchange rate of ₦1,600 per dollar, resulting in charges of $4,704.18 for northern pilgrims and $4,908.18 for those from the South. This pushed the total cost to above ₦8 million for many intending pilgrims.However, payments for services made between February 13 and 15 were executed at a significantly lower official exchange rate of ₦1,507–₦1,520 per dollar. IHR noted that throughout February and March, the rate did not exceed ₦1,535, creating an unspent balance of approximately ₦80,000–₦93,000 per pilgrim**.The organisation estimates that ₦437,000 should be refunded to each of the 44,000 pilgrims who made full payment before the February 10 deadline.
Refund Previously Acknowledged by NAHCON
IHR recalled that NAHCON had earlier acknowledged the possibility of refunds after completing its financial reconciliation for the 2025 Hajj operations. With both NAHCON and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards having now finalized the accounts, the group insists that the time for action has come. “We understand that the 2025 Hajj fare was computed using higher estimated rates to avoid asking pilgrims to make additional payments,” the statement said. “The payments for services were eventually made at a lower exchange rate, leaving funds that rightfully belong to the pilgrims.”
Call for Transparency and Relief for Pilgrims
The organisation added that several countries have already refunded similar excess funds to their pilgrims, urging Nigeria to uphold transparency and accountability by doing the same.IHR further stressed that the refunds would bring much-needed relief to pilgrims who endured significant financial pressure to participate in the 2025 pilgrimage, given current economic challenges.The group called on NAHCON and state pilgrims’ boards to work collaboratively to process and disburse the refunds promptly to all eligible pilgrims.
