The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has intensified efforts to make Hajj more affordable for Nigerian pilgrims while also fostering interfaith harmony and cooperation.

In two separate engagements held at the Commission?s headquarters in Abuja, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, met with the Sub-Technical Committee on Hajj Fare Packages and later hosted the Chairman of the National Christian Pilgrims? Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, on a courtesy visit.

Efforts to Reduce Hajj Cost

The Sub-Technical Committee on Hajj Fare Packages, a sub-committee of the Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage of the National House of Representatives, paid a fact-finding visit to the NAHCON Chairman to explore strategies for reducing the cost of Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims.

The delegation was led by Hon. Mohammed Garba Chiroma and included Hon. Hassan Bala Abubakar III, Hon. Aminu Jamo, Hon. Abubakar Abdul Buba, Hon. Abdulkarim Hussaini Ahmad, and Hon. Ja?afar A. Magaji. The committee engaged in discussions on airfare, accommodation, feeding, and other service charges with the aim of making the pilgrimage more affordable.

Hon. Chiroma commended NAHCON?s commitment to addressing the financial burden on intending pilgrims and pledged the committee?s support in negotiating better rates and advocating for necessary government interventions.

In response, Professor Usman assured the committee of NAHCON?s full cooperation and revealed ongoing engagements with service providers, airlines, and Saudi authorities to secure cost-effective services for Nigerian pilgrims.

He further disclosed that NAHCON had formally written to the Presidency seeking waivers for domestic aviation charges imposed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other regulatory bodies. He called on the committee to support NAHCON?s request, emphasizing that these waivers would significantly help in reducing the overall cost of Hajj.

Additionally, Professor Usman announced that NAHCON had initiated the process of requesting a waiver from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) concerning the 2% CBN charge on foreign exchange transactions. He emphasized that securing this waiver would further lower Hajj expenses for Nigerian pilgrims.

The Sub-Technical Committee also called for a meeting with the approved airlines for the 2025 Hajj to further discuss ways to reduce airfare in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims. The committee stressed the importance of collaborating with airline operators to ensure cost efficiency without compromising service quality.

The committee also requested detailed cost breakdowns and service agreements recors/documents from key stakeholders involved in Hajj logistics to facilitate an informed assessment of areas where costs can be cut.

The Sub-Technical Committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations in due course to the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage which will contribute to final decisions on reducing the 2025 Hajj fare.

Strengthening Interfaith Harmony

In a separate engagement, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, welcomed the Chairman of the National Christian Pilgrims? Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, who paid a courtesy visit at the Hajj House office in Abuja.

Professor Usman described the relationship between the two pilgrimage commissions as harmonious, referencing the peaceful coexistence exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with Christians in Madinah.

He lauded the symbolic meeting of the two religious leaders and promised to reciprocate the visit soon. He emphasized that sustained cooperation and goodwill between the two commissions would help unite followers of both faiths. He reiterated that there should be no room for discord between Muslims and Christians and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of both NAHCON and NCPC.

Bishop Adegbite, in his remarks, called for stronger collaboration between NAHCON and NCPC, encouraging frequent engagements between the two commissions.

While congratulating Professor Usman on his appointment, Bishop Adegbite revealed that February 5 marked his first year in office. He praised President Tinubu for his fairness in handling religious affairs in Nigeria and expressed optimism about the President?s reform agenda, stating that after hardship comes prosperity. The Bishop also offered prayers for the country and the Commission.

Other senior officials of NAHCON, including the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Information, Statistics and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal described the visit as an honor and prayed for continued understanding and cooperation among followers of both religions. The Commissioner of Operations, Inspectorate and Licensing Service (OIL), Prince Anofiu Olarewaju Elegushi commended Bishop Adegbite as a brother who fosters religious unity, recalling that their relationship dates back to their time in Lagos when Prince Elegushi was Commissioner of Home Affairs.

NAHCON remains committed to ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims perform Hajj with ease, dignity, and at an affordable cost. Additionally, the Commission will continue to promote religious harmony and cooperation, recognizing the importance of unity in national development.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has intensified efforts to make Hajj more affordable for Nigerian pilgrims while also fostering interfaith harmony and cooperation. In two separate engagements held at the Commission?s headquarters in Abuja, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, met with the Sub-Technical Committee on Hajj Fare Packages and later hosted the Chairman of the National Christian Pilgrims? Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, on a courtesy visit.