By Jabiru Hassan
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to refund 26,287 confirmed intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj a little over N400,000 each as a differential from the exchange rates used to calculate the Hajj fare.
NAHCON had previously announced that the 2025 Hajj would cost over N8 million per pilgrim, with a payment deadline set for February 10. An analysis of the fare templates revealed that NAHCON fixed the exchange rate at N1600 to a dollar, with pilgrims from the north paying $4,704.18, while those from the south paid $4,908.18.
However, further examination of the Naira to Dollar exchange rate on February 13 revealed that the exchange rate had dropped to N1,507 to a dollar, creating a difference of N93 for each dollar.
According to IHR’s calculations, each of the 26,287 pilgrims who had paid ahead of the deadline should receive a refund of approximately N437,000 each.
IHR, in a statement released on Thursday, urged NAHCON to refund the differentials promptly, rather than waiting until after the Hajj pilgrimage. The organization emphasized that the refund could assist pilgrims with their upkeep while in the Holy Land.
IHR also stressed that this refund request was necessary to uphold the transparency of the commission’s operations, which they noted is a core value of NAHCON’s current leadership. The statement was signed by IHR’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed.
This call for refund aims to ensure that the pilgrims receive fair value for their payments, fostering transparency and accountability in the Hajj process.
