By Soliu Oyesiji
Despite a steady increase in Hajj fares since 2023, services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims have remained largely unchanged, and in some cases poorer, raising questions about value for money even as the naira has recently gained against the dollar.
In 2023, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) fixed Hajj fares between ₦2.89 million and ₦2.99 million, depending on departure zone. The fare included a Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of $700 and covered airfare, accommodation, feeding and other logistics. The commission attributed the increase from 2022 to inflation, foreign exchange pressures and rising costs in Saudi Arabia.
By 2024, fares jumped sharply to between ₦4.68 million and ₦4.89 million, despite a reduction in BTA to $500. NAHCON said the increase was unavoidable due to tight remittance deadlines and escalating costs, even as it acknowledged public concerns. The increase in exchange rates also serves asa pillar of increase in the 2024 Hajj.
The trend continued in 2025, with fares rising to between ₦8.32 million and ₦8.78 million across zones, while BTA remained at $500. This marked nearly a threefold increase from 2023 levels within two years, intensifying complaints from pilgrims and stakeholders who argued that service quality did not reflect the sharp cost escalation. Just like 2024, the dollar remains the causative factor in the hajj fare rise, but accompanying services nosedive. Whom to blame now?
For 2026, NAHCON announced a downward review of fares to between ₦7.57 million and ₦7.99 million, citing a more favourable exchange rate and a presidential directive. While the reduction offered some relief, the fares remain significantly higher than 2023 figures, even as the dollar has weakened compared to earlier years.
Stakeholders argue that the persistent rise in fares, despite a falling dollar and reduced BTA, has not translated into improved accommodation, feeding or transportation services in Saudi Arabia. Many insist that unless transparency improves and service delivery is visibly upgraded, confidence in the Hajj management process will continue to erode.
During the 2025 Hajj, Nigerian pilgrims were accommodated in an area far away from the Haram and most states were relocated to a remote place in Makkah. The increase in costs didn’t reflect in the pilgrims’ accommodations. Nigeria’s Hajj industry must prioritise services above every other consideration. A survey has shown that an average Nigerian pilgrim does not bother much about the cost of Hajj if commensurate services are offered in return. NAHCON, state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Service providers must come together to address this problem before pilgrims completely loses confident in the system.
