Nigerian intending pilgrims for this year’s Hajj exercise yet to complete their registration have been handed a relief as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), on Tuesday, announced an extension of the deadline for registration to February 10.
The Hajj commission had earlier announced January 31 deadline, which it said was based on deadlines from the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The new deadline, according to NAHCON Assistant Director, Information and Publications, Fatima Sanda Usara, was announced by the commission’s Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, during a Zoom meeting between NAHCON and key Hajj stakeholders on Tuesday night.
According to Usara, the deadline was extended from January 31 to February 10 following appeals on behalf of intending pilgrims who could not complete their registration on time.
She stated that Usman urged executive secretaries (ES) of state pilgrims’ welfare boards to cooperate with NAHCON to ensure timely transfer of funds, adding that this was crucial for securing accommodations that had already been inspected and booked.
“It is important to note that Saudi Arabia has set February 14, 2025, as the deadline for contract signings.
“This means all payments must reach the designated IBAN account in Saudi Arabia before that date to be recognized on the e-track (Nusuk Masar) registration portal.
“Given the time required for international transfers, early remittance is essential,” Usara stated.
Speaking during the Zoom meeting, NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, proposed that pilgrims who can afford the Hajj fare, excluding the $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), should proceed with their payments while sourcing the travel allowance separately.
He noted that some pilgrims fell short by N200,000, preventing them from completing their payments despite reaching the required Hajj fare amount.
Supporting Prof Usman’s call, the Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who doubles as the chairman, Forum of State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Malam Idris Almakura, advised his colleagues to remit available funds immediately rather than waiting for the deadline.
Source;(TribuneOnline)
