The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the successful completion of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, despite numerous challenges encountered during the preparation and execution stages.
At a post-Hajj press briefing, the NAHCON Chairman/CEO highlighted the hurdles faced, including slow remittance of Hajj fares by pilgrims, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, and disagreements with Private Tour Operators (PTOs).
The Commission expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90 billion to mitigate the effects of high foreign currency costs. NAHCON devised a distribution strategy to ensure all stakeholders benefited from the financial support.
The Chairman/CEO also addressed issues with PTOs, including their decision to opt for a different service provider, which led to disagreements and delays. NAHCON intervened, instructing PTOs to work with the inherited service provider, Ithra Al Khair.
Despite challenges, the Commission ensured all pilgrims received necessary support, utilizing its own funds to advance payments for tour operators in difficult situations.
NAHCON reported that the 2024 Hajj was a success, thanks to cooperation and coordination with stakeholders. The Commission remains committed to learning from experiences and improving processes to better serve pilgrims in future endeavors.
The Chairman/CEO welcomed further inquiries and assured transparency and accountability in all aspects of NAHCON's operations.
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