The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced an extension of the deadline for 2025 Hajj registration.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, made the announcement in a statement.
In the statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, on Wednesday, the registration for the upcoming Hajj has been extended to February 10, 2025.
Usara pointed out that the decision followed appeals on behalf of intending pilgrims who were unable to complete their registration on time, adding that the extension was announced during a Zoom meeting between NAHCON and key Hajj stakeholders on the night of February 4, 2025.
The statement said: “Prof. Usman urged Executive Secretaries (ES) of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to cooperate with NAHCON to ensure timely transfer of funds.
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“This is crucial for securing accommodations that have already been inspected and booked.”
Usara added that it is important to note that Saudi Arabia has set February 14, 2025 as the deadline for contract signing, noting that this means all payments must reach the designated IBAN account in Saudi Arabia before that date to be recognised on the e-track (Nusuk Masar) registration portal, giving the time required for international transfers, early remittance is essential.
The Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, proposed that pilgrims who can afford the Hajj fare – excluding the $500 Basic Travel Allowance – should proceed with their payments while sourcing the travel allowance separately.
Elegushi noted that some pilgrims fell short by N200,000, preventing them from completing their payments despite reaching the required Hajj fare amount.
Supporting the Chairman’s call, Malam Idris Almakura, Executive Secretary of Nasarawa State Pilgrims Board and Chairman of the Forum of States Pilgrims Boards, advised his colleagues to remit available funds immediately rather than waiting for the deadline, emphasising the importance of transferring funds before the physical meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Similarly, Alhaji Faruku Yaro, Executive of Kebbi State Pilgrims Board and Deputy Chairman of the Forum, urged his colleagues to promptly remit all payments made by pilgrims into NAHCON’s Central Bank of Nigeria account.
Yaro cautioned that delays could lead to contract cancellations, as experienced last year, encouraging them to take advantage of the current favourable foreign exchange rates before any market fluctuations disrupt the cost structure.
Hajj stakeholders agreed to hold regular Zoom meetings until all contracts are finalised.
Another critical issue discussed was the CBN’s proposal to disburse BTA via credit cards.
Many participants opposed the initiative, citing the potential hardship it could cause for pilgrims.
Meanwhile, discussions on this matter are still ongoing.
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