The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has set the hajj ticket for each intending pilgrim at N2.89 million for 2023.
According to Daily Trust, this was disclosed by the Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, on Friday.
According to Hassan, the price is divided into eight categories, with Borno and Yobe States paying the least and Lagos and Ogun States paying the most, N2.99 million.
It is been gathered that the increase is over N300,000 compared to what was paid during the 2022 hajj.
“Hajj fare has 8 different costs, pilgrims from Maiduguri and Yola, will pay 2.89m other northern states 2.919m. The southern part of the country has six different prices, Edo State and the other states in the South South and South East will pay N2.96m while Ekiti and Ondo States will pay N2.88m, Osun State will pay N2.99m. Cross River to pay N2.943m and Lagos, Ogun and Oyo to pay N2.99m,” he stated.
He explained that the price difference is due to the fact that states in the north are closer to Saudi Arabia than states in the south, and the amount of accommodation obtained by each state also impacts the amount they would spend.
Air Peace, Azman Air, Fly Nas, Aero Contractors, and Max Air were permitted for airlift of pilgrims from states, he said, while Arik Air and Value Jet were approved as hired aircraft for private tour operators.
He further stated that the Commission would close the portal for those who desire to save for Hajj by April 21.
“We decided to do this to ensure that all operation activities are not dragged and May 21 will be the inaugural flight. We are committed to take every single citizen that registered for hajj this year.”
“The reason for the increase is due to inflation rate in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, high cost of goods and services in Saudi Arabia and scarcity of aviation fuel. Also, there has been an increase in the exchange of naira to dollar at the official rate, we tried to keep the fare at a minimum level while taking a view of the economic condition of the people going for hajj.”
He further stated that the fare increase is not restricted to Nigeria, as other countries that have revealed their hajj fare have announced increases.
“There is hike from other parts of the world like Ghana, Pakistan, India, Niger among others,” he said