The Sokoto State government has requested an extension of the deadline for the payment of an additional N1.9 million by intending pilgrims for the 2024 hajj pilgrimage.
The appeal was made by Aliyu Musa, the chairman of the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency in an interview.
Last December, the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) set a minimum fare of N4.9 million per pilgrim, based on the exchange rate at that time.
Subsequently, NAHCON increased the fare by N1.9 million, bringing the total amount to N6.8 million, with a deadline of March 28, 2024, for payment of the extra fee.
NAHCON had attributed the latest hike in the hajj fare to the foreign exchange crisis which Nigeria has been battling for months.
As of now, the hajj commission has not announced whether the deadline for payment will be extended.
Musa said while some intending pilgrims from Sokoto State have begun paying the additional fee, the time given is insufficient.
He said many of these pilgrims are traders and farmers who rely on their crops for funding, making it difficult for them to meet the deadline.
Musa also mentioned that Governor Ahmed Aliyu has expressed interest in subsidising this year’s hajj expenses for intending pilgrims from Sokoto State.
He, however, said the governor is currently in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.
Despite the challenges, Musa noted that there have been no requests for refunds from pilgrims. Instead, they are making efforts to raise the required funds to complete their payments.