Over 50,000 pilgrims completed Hajj payment – NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has disclosed that over 50,000 prospective pilgrims have completed payments for the 2024 Hajj under the government quota.

NAHCON disclosed in a statement signed by its Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, on Saturday.

The commission had earlier stated that only 48,414 intending pilgrims had paid the earlier announced fare of N4.9m, out of the 90,000 quota allocated to Nigeria, following which the prospective pilgrims were required to pay an additional N1.9m “by the current foreign exchange rate.”

According to the statement, the official number of pilgrims now stood at 51,477 after the close of registration for the exercise.

A breakdown of the numbers revealed the sub-total from Borno, Adamawa, Yola, Taraba and Yobe states as 5,492 pilgrims, Northern sub-total, 36,261 pilgrims, Southern sub-total, 6,310 pilgrims, while the remaining 3,384 pilgrims were from the Hajj Savings Scheme and others, making 51,447.

Usara thanked the Federal Government for its “leading role” and “numerous sacrifices”, towards easing the burdens of the intending pilgrims, while also appreciating state governors and other stakeholders for providing support.

“After the close of registration, the official number of intending pilgrims that registered for the 2024 Hajj from Nigeria stands at 51,447 under the government quota.