Pilgrims may pay N2.5m for 2022 hajj – NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has projected that Nigerian pilgrims may pay as much as N2.5m to participate in the 2022 exercise. This is over 50 per cent increase from N1m paid by pilgrims in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic that stalled hajj activities. Speaking on Thursday at a meeting with executives of the state pilgrims board for the preparation of the 2022 hajj, NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, said the projection of the increase was due to an increase in the foreign exchange rate, rise in inflation by almost 10 per cent and the increase of Value Added Tax (VAT) from five to 15 per cent by Saudi Authorities. According to him, the commission does not have control over these factors. “The projection is on the increase because as of 2019, the exchange rate for hajj was N306 but now it will be at N410 to a dollar. We all know that hajj is 97 per cent by foreign exchange for food airlines and others,” Hassan said. “In addition, Saudi Arabia has increased their VAT from five to 15 per cent. We will try our best to mitigate whatever hardship this would cost the pilgrims but I am sure for many people who had wished two or three years to go to the holy land, this won’t be sacrifice too many.” Hassan said out of 43,008 slots given to Nigeria, 33,976 would go to states while 9,032 would be allocated to private tour operators.