2023 Hajj: Pilgrims to Receive Refunds for Unrendered Services – NAHCON

• NAHCON assures 2023 Hajj pilgrims of additional refunds for unrendered services, allocating ₦5 billion to 95,000 participants for compensation
• The commission awaits clarification on remaining funds to ensure all refunds reach rightful beneficiaries, emphasizing transparency and accountability

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured Nigerian pilgrims from the 2023 Hajj that they will receive additional refunds for services not provided during the pilgrimage.

Last week, NAHCON announced a refund of ₦5 billion, allocating 150 Saudi Riyals (approximately ₦61,080) to each of the 95,000 pilgrims for unrendered services.

In a statement, the commission’s spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, revealed that NAHCON had received a total of SR 20,716,035.2 in five installments as unexplained refunds from Saudi Arabia. These funds covered unrendered services from several unspecified Hajj seasons.

Sanda explained that the delay in disbursing the remaining refunds was due to the lack of accompanying details regarding the reasons for the refunds, the specific beneficiaries, and the amounts owed to each pilgrim.

“The commission has not received detailed explanations regarding the refunds, making it impossible to distribute the funds to the rightful owners. NAHCON’s chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, seeks the patience of pilgrims and the public as the commission works to resolve the issue,” Sanda stated.

So far, NAHCON has confirmed the explanation for a refund of SR 150 per pilgrim for the 95,000 participants of the 2023 Hajj. This refund, meant to cover electricity supply at Masha’ir locations, has been distributed to State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and Private Tour Operators for onward disbursement.

However, the commission still awaits clarification on SR 6,466,035.15, part of the total received funds. Prof. Usman has written multiple letters to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and recently led a delegation to Saudi Arabia to follow up on the matter.

Out of the total received funds, SR 14,250,000 has already been paid to pilgrims under the state quota and private tour operators as compensation for electricity services in Masha’ir. The remaining SR 6,466,035.15 awaits further explanation before distribution.

NAHCON reassures pilgrims that efforts are ongoing to ensure all refunds reach their rightful beneficiaries.