The Executive Secretary of the Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu, has announced the commencement of the disbursement process for the 2023 Hajj refunds through a designated committee.
In a statement released on Monday in Minna, the Executive Secretary explained that the committee comprises the management of the Board along with representatives from all local government areas.
He highlighted that the refund results from payments made to all states by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for services not provided to pilgrims at the Masha’ir by the Saudi Arabian service provider during the 2023 Hajj exercise.
Sheikh Awwal Aliyu noted that the state received a total of N225,934,920 from NAHCON as a refund, covering 3,699 pilgrims from the 2023 Hajj exercise, stressing that each pilgrim will receive a refund of N61,080 which is equivalent to R150 Saudi Riyal.
The committee has already begun disbursing funds to the 2023 Hajj pilgrims in the state.
The Executive Secretary reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the disbursement process, guaranteeing that every pilgrim who participated in the 2023 Hajj exercise receives their refund.
Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Aliyu assured that he would take all necessary measures to facilitate a transparent and timely distribution of the funds, ensuring that no pilgrim is left out.
Additionally, the Board would like to inform all intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj that the deadline for the initial deposit payment has been extended from the previous date of December 16, 2024, to January 7, 2025.
This extension aligns with NAHCON’s calendar of events for 2025/1446.
and then