The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation (CSO), has asked the federal and state governments to subsidise hajj fares to prevent Nigerian pilgrims from missing out on the 2024 pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Sunday announced an increase of N1.9 million to the hajj fare and gave four days duration for payment.
The commission had earlier approved N4.9 million as 2024 hajj fare.
With the N1.9 million increase, intending pilgrims who had already paid N4.9 million will now pay N6.8 million.
In a statement on Monday, Ibrahim Mohammed, IHR coordinator, said Nigeria may witness the lowest number of pilgrims performing hajj this year if urgent intervention is not provided.
Mohammed said the organisation had in the past months warned NAHCON of the implications of late registration.
He added that 90 percent of those who made the initial deposit may not be able to pay additional money in four days.
He said NAHCON was unable to meet the deadline given by the Saudi Arabia ministry of hajj for the remittance of funds because the commission was waiting for the federal government’s intervention.
