Nigeria may not fully utilize the 95,000 hajj slots allocated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2025 pilgrimage due to low registration, as the payment deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) lapses today.
Reports suggest a repeat of last year’s scenario when only 51,447 out of 95,000 available slots were utilized. Officials attribute the slow response to the high cost of hajj fares and the short payment window.
For the 2025 pilgrimage, intending pilgrims registering through state welfare boards were required to pay between ₦8.3 million and ₦8.7 million, while those using private tour operators faced even higher fees.
Saudi Policy on Early Payment Deadline
The early payment deadline aligns with Saudi Arabia’s new policy, which mandates all participating countries to finalize hajj agreements at least four months before the pilgrimage. This is intended to enhance logistics and accommodation planning.
Although last year’s deadline was extended due to low turnout, it remains uncertain whether a similar extension will be granted this year.
Payment Status Across States
FCT:
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), only 700 intending pilgrims completed payments as of the deadline. Out of the 4,148 slots allocated to the territory, 1,659 were designated for the Jaiz Bank Hajj Scheme, while the remaining 2,489 were open for general registration.
According to the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board spokesperson, Muhammad Lawal Aliyu, some last-minute payments were still being processed, but the final number will be confirmed after the deadline.
Kano State:
Kano received 4,356 slots, but as of January 30, only 2,100 pilgrims had completed payment. The state government set February 3 as the final deadline for intending pilgrims.
Sokoto State:
Sokoto was allocated 5,216 slots. While officials are still compiling payment data from local governments, the final list is expected to be ready by February 2.
Kaduna State:
Kaduna received over 6,000 slots, with registration ongoing at 24 centres across the state. Officials could not confirm the exact number of registered pilgrims as of January 30 but expressed optimism that more payments would be made before the February 5 deadline.
Kwara State:
In Kwara, the Pilgrims Welfare Board reported that over 1,000 pilgrims had paid, with 4,365 slots allocated to the state. Officials expect more payments before the deadline.
Gombe State:
Gombe received 1,480 slots, but as of January 30, only 500 pilgrims had completed payment. Authorities are encouraging more registrations before the February 2025 deadline.
Lagos State:
In Lagos, 500 pilgrims had completed registration, but less than 50% of the 2,000 allocated slots had been filled by January 30.
High Cost a Major Concern
Stakeholders have pointed to the high cost of hajj as a major factor affecting registration. Many intending pilgrims are struggling with payments due to Nigeria’s challenging economic situation.
Alhaji Abdulfatah Abdulmojeed, a key stakeholder in hajj operations, urged state boards to remit payments to NAHCON on time to prevent delays in preparations. He also called for the full implementation of the Hajj Savings Scheme, similar to those in Indonesia and Malaysia, to help Nigerians manage hajj expenses more effectively.
He warned that Nigeria might struggle to fill all 95,000 slots due to the prevailing economic realities.
NAHCON’s Position on Deadline Extension
Efforts to reach NAHCON spokesperson Muhammad Ahmed for comments were unsuccessful, as his phone was unreachable, and he did not respond to text messages.
However, an internal source hinted that the commission might not extend the deadline, as agreements have already been finalized with service providers for the 2025 Hajj.
According to the source, early payments are essential for securing accommodation, transport, and other logistics for Nigerian pilgrims.
