NAHCON CLARIFIES 2025 HAJJ REFUNDS FULLY SETTLED, SHIFTS FOCUS TO 2026 PILGRIMAGE
By: Sefiu Ajape
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has clarified that all issues concerning pilgrims’ refunds from the 2025 Hajj have been “reconciled and settled.”
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the commission’s Principal Information Officer, Malam Shafii Mohammed.
Mohammed dismissed reports suggesting that preparations for the 2026 Hajj were being delayed because of unresolved matters linked to the 2025 operational accounts.
He confirmed that “19 States that requested reconciliation of pilgrims’ Hajj fare refunds have been duly settled. Refunds from previous years have also been cleared, except in cases where some states are yet to formally initiate reconciliation with the commission.”
With the refunds resolved, he said the commission is now focused on preparations for the 2026 Hajj.
He stressed the importance of early payment of Hajj fares, noting that it aligns with the operational calendar of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. According to him, timely remittance would help Nigeria secure essential services in Makkah, Madinah, and the Mashā’ir, as well as ensure the country’s full participation in next year’s pilgrimage.
“NAHCON therefore calls on state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards, agencies, commissions, and licensed tour operators to remit Hajj fares promptly to avoid last-minute challenges,” he added.
