Hajj: Niger Refunds N225.9m to Pilgrims

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has commenced the refund of N225.9million to 3,699 pilgrims that performed the holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

The refund followed “services” not rendered to the pilgrims at the ‘Masha’ir’ by the Saudi Arabia service provider during the 2023 Hajj exercise.

A statement made available to journalists in Minna yesterday by the board explained that the state received the amount from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

According to the statement, each of the pilgrim would receive a refund of N61,080,00 equivalent to 150 Saudi Riyal.

The statement quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Sheikh Mohammed Awwal Aliyu, as saying that  the committee set up for the exercise  “will ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement process,” thereby making sure that every pilgrim who performed the  Hajj receives the money.

Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu promised to leave nothing to chance to see that “there is transparency and timely disbursement of the funds, and ensure that every pilgrim receives the funds.”

The board in the statement disclosed that the deadline  for all  2025 intending pilgrims to pay their initial deposit for the hajj has been extended from December 16, 2024 to January 7, 2025, in line with 2025 NAHCON’s calendar .