By Our Reporter

Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, has announced an extension of the deadline for 2025 Hajj registration by intending pilgrims to February 10, 2025.

The extension was announced during a zoom meeting between NAHCON and key Hajj stakeholders held on the night of Tuesday, February 4.

The decision, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Assistant Director of Information and Publications in the commission, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, followed appeals on behalf of intending pilgrims who were unable to complete their registration on time.

Usman urged Executive Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, SMPWBs to cooperate with NAHCON to ensure timely transfer of funds, saying “this is crucial for securing accommodations that have 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,” the statement reads.

At the meeting, the 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 the NAHCON’s chairman, the Executive Secretary of Nasarawa SPWBs and chairman of the Forum of States, Malam Idris Almakura, advised his colleagues to remit available funds immediately rather than waiting for the deadline, emphasizing the importance of transferring funds before the physical meeting scheduled for next Tuesday.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of Kebbi SMPWBs and Deputy Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Faruku Yaro urged his colleagues to promptly remit all payments made by pilgrims into NAHCON’s CBN account. He cautioned that delays could lead to contract cancellations, as experienced last year.

He also encouraged them to take advantage of the current favorable foreign exchange rates before any market fluctuations disrupt the cost structure.

The statement revealed that Hajj stakeholders agreed to hold regular Zoom meetings until all contracts are finalized.

Another critical issue discussed was the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s proposal to disburse BTA via credit cards, but many participants opposed the initiative, citing the potential hardship it could cause for pilgrims.