The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has directed the state pilgrim boards to start remitting funds to secure slots for the 2024 hajj or risk forfeiting allocations given to them.

In a statement, Tuesday, Mousa Ubandawaki, NAHCON Deputy Director of Information and Publications, said failure to comply with the directive would mean the states are not prepared or interested in partaking in the next year’s hajj exercise.

Ubandawaki said the directive was contained in a letter by Salihu Usman, NAHCON’s Director of Finance and Accounts, addressed to the Chief Executives of state pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies and commissions.

He said the call became necessary following the timeline issued by Saudi Arabia’s ministry of hajj and umrah, notifying participating countries to remit their monies before a certain period.

He said NAHCON would reduce the allocation of slots for states that fail to comply with the directive, adding that the spaces would be given to those that have made payment and needed more hajj slots.

He pointed out that it was important that the commission’s IBAN account remained adequately funded by December.

“I am directed to inform you that considering the new timelines slated by Saudi authorities for 2024 Hajj activities, you are urged to expeditiously remit a reasonable percentage of funds for the slots allocation to your respective states,” the statement reads.

“Failure to do so shall be interpreted as unpreparedness on your part and shall leave the commission with no option but to slash your allocation and add to the more prepared states as appropriate to meet datelines and ultimately facilitate a hitch-free exercise.

“This will ensure that the commission makes payment to undertake or process some activities in the kingdom.”