30 Nigerian Pilgrims Lost During 2024 Hajj — NAHCON

At least 30 Nigerians lost their lives during the recently concluded hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Mallam Jalal Arabi.

Speaking at a post-hajj press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Arabi revealed that approximately four of the victims died due to a heat wave experienced during the pilgrimage. He stated, “The 2024 hajj experienced one of the harshest weather conditions in recent years, but we were well-informed in advance. We included this information in our sensitization efforts and provided safety kits, such as umbrellas and newly innovated fans, to safeguard the pilgrims. However, if someone’s time has come, it cannot be stopped. We did our best to prevent deliberate exposure to the weather. While some pilgrims succumbed, not all deaths were caused by the heat wave. Of the 30 who passed away, around four or five could be attributed to the heat wave. We pray Allah accepts their souls.”

Arabi also addressed the N90 billion subsidy approved by President Bola Tinubu for the pilgrimage, following a hike in hajj fares that saw some pilgrims paying as much as N8 million. He explained, “By the final deadline of February 12, 2024, an unforeseen spike in foreign exchange rates necessitated a fresh adjustment of the year’s hajj fare from the initially announced N4.9 million. The new financial projection required each pilgrim to pay an additional N3.6 million, prompting urgent intervention. NAHCON promptly engaged the Federal Government to seek a concessionary rate of N850 as the exchange rate for the dollar component of the hajj fare. We are grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift approval of N90 billion instead.”

He elaborated that NAHCON implemented a distribution strategy ensuring that all stakeholders involved in the 2024 hajj benefited from the government’s support. “Each pilgrim received N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion, except for those under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), who received more. As a result, registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87, as the N90 billion was insufficient to cover the full balance. New registrants were asked to pay N8,454,464.74 and were exempt from the Federal Government’s intervention. Eligible officials and stakeholders from all tiers of government also received the subsidy from the N90 billion.”

Arabi emphasized that the hajj subsidy was utilized transparently and assured that future pilgrimages would see improved processes to ensure equitable access to facilities and services for all pilgrims.