There is palpable tension and unease among Hajj 2025 intending pilgrims from Kogi State over the State Hajj Commission’s mandatory requirement that they present a tax clearance certificate before their visa can be processed
Some pilgrims who spoke to HAJJ REPORTERS said they don’t understand the purpose of asking intending pilgrims to present Tax Clearance Certificates.
“Some of us are farmers and traders and don’t know how to get the tax clearance certificate. Our mission is to pay the fare and go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and that is all” Mallam Musa, an intending pilgrim told HAJJ REPORTERS on Thursday.
Another intending pilgrim, Ahmadu, said he had asked his son to go to the Kogi State Hajj Commission to learn the requirements for the Tax Clearance Certificate.
“Frankly, this is an additional burden. My Son laboured hard to pay for me and now they are making it difficult for us,” he said.
The Kogi state Hajj Commission issued a press statement on 22nd January announcing January 31 as the deadline for paying the 2025 Hajj fare.
In the last paragraph of the statement. The commission stated that “all intending pilgrims are mandated to present their 3 years Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) to the Hajj Commission before the visa can be approved”.
Responding to the issue, the Director of Administration, Kogi State Hajj Commission, Ustaz Imam Mansur Muhammed, said, “It is indeed a state government policy, and that the State Government Mandated the Hajj Commission through the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service to comply with the tax policy for KGIRS.
