The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has announced variation in the fare for the 2022 Hajj exercise, pegging it at N2.49 million per each intending pilgrim from the South while their counterparts from the North are expected to pay N2.44m.

A release by the Commission through the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara noted that intending pilgrims from Adamawa and Borno will pay lesser amount of N2.41m because of their proximity to Saudi Arabia.

According to the Statement, the NAHCON boss, Zikrillah Kunle Hassan made the announcement indicating slight variations in fares payable by states during a meeting with Chief Executive of Pilgrim Welfare Boards at the headquarters of the Commission on Saturday.

According to the Statement, the NAHCON Chairman explained that the air ticket cost was the major difference in the hajj fare.

"Nigerian pilgrims for 2022 Hajj from Southern Nigeria are to pay N2,496,815.29, while their counterparts from Northern part of the country will pay N2, 449, 607.89.  For Adamawa and Borno states, they are to pay N2, 408, 197.89 due to proximity to Saudi Arabia.

"The air ticket cost is the major difference in the Hajj fare."

The statement noted that the announcement attracted a standing ovation from State Chief Executive Officers and other participants who commended the commission for holding down the hajj fare below the N2.5m deposit despite the obvious challenges.

The statement further quoted Alhaji Hassan, as reminding the gathering that "all stakeholders do not have the luxury of time and from experience, we know that Saudi Arabia will not add an hour extra once the deadline for landing is due."

He disclosed that the "Commission has requested for more Hajj seats, but NAHCON is still waiting for response. Therefore, in the meantime, all states are to work with and exhaust the allocations they have been granted instead of waiting for more."

"It was disclosed by Mr Hassan that while visas of officials and pilgrims in the inaugural flight are ready, the states should start visa processing for all categories of registered pilgrims.

“The Chairman urged others to send their staff to study the visa processing system due to recent modifications that were introduced by Saudi Arabia this year.

"However, those state board executives that are ready will be guided on the process today after the meeting.”

On the issue of difficulty acquiring travel passports, Alhaji Hassan informed that the board member representing Nigeria Immigration Service had promised to assist any state board having problem processing the travel document for their pilgrims.

The Boards were also advised to intensify enlightenment on Hadaya to avoid the pilgrims from being duped, while explaining that the intending pilgrims will get their COVID-19 PCR test done at a discounted rate.

"A call was made to intensify enlightenment on Hadaya to avoid pilgrims being duped. In addition, the NAHCON Chief Executive Officer said, it costs cheaper when paid from Nigeria due to the benefit of the foreign exchange.

"Similarly, the Chairman disclosed that pilgrims will get their covid-19 PCR test done at a discounted rate of 30,000. Details will follow.

"Alhaji Nura Hassan Yakassai, NAHCON’s Commissioner in charge of Policy, Personnel Management and Finance encouraged the states to conclude fund remittance to fast-track Hajj preparations and for processing of Basic Travelling Allowances.

"In his closing remarks, the chairman of Forum of States, Alhaji Idris Ahmed Al’ Makura praised the NAHCON board for the commendable job and called for cooperation from all quarters," the statement added.