The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully negotiated a reduction in the charges for the 2024 Hajj with the Saudi Arabian Government.

The reductions, according to Fatima Sanda Usara, the Commission’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs, were attained in the cost of air fare, accommodation and Masha’ir packages.

Usara noted that the achievement was made when the NAHCON Chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, led his team in making preparatory arrangements for the 2024 Hajj with focus on cost reduction on services to be rendered to pilgrims from Nigeria.

She explained that the chairman built his plea for the price adjustment on global economic realities affecting intending pilgrims from Nigeria in the aftermath of Covid-19 lockdown and the war in Europe.

She said for instance, the cost of accommodation in Madinah dropped from SR 2,080 (Saudi Riyals) in 2023 to SR 1,665 this year. Similarly, the cost of accommodation in Makkah was realized at SR 3000 against SR 3,500 of the previous year.

She added that pilgrims of the 2024 Hajj will pay SR 4,770 for the Masha’ir package (VAT inclusive) against SR 5,393 paid by last year’s pilgrims. For air fare, the Commission was able to beat down the cost with a $138 discount from what was paid last year.

Rising from a meeting with state pilgrims’ welfare boards’ executive secretaries and chairmen, Arabi commended them for the cooperation his leadership enjoyed during the visit.

He updated the gathering on the outcome of meetings with Mu’assasa and the plans on ground for the coming Hajj. The Chairman promised the members transparency and inclusiveness on every matter concerning the forthcoming Hajj.

“It is noteworthy that within the period of the inspection, a total of 61 high rise hotel buildings were inspected in Makkah and 31 in Madinah making a total of 92. Staff on the assignment verified years of each building’s existence with preference for those with 1-10 years after construction.

“The buildings’ maintenance status and building location in relation to the grand Mosque, Haram were measured, where the standard was set from two kilometers down,” he stated.