Former National Commissioner in charge of Operations, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Professor Yusuf Lanre Badmas has identified fluctuating economic situation as major factor affecting Hajj exercise globally.
Professor Badmas who of the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin made this observations while delivering a lecture on the topic “Hajj Exercise In Nigeria Compared With Some Other Countries”at the ongoing Ramadan Lecture Series Organized by Islamic Missionaries Association of Nigeria, IMAN, New Yidi Road, Ilorin
He said hajj fare varies from one country to another due to proximity to Saudi Arabia while United States Dollars USD exchange rate plays a key role in Hajj fare.
According to him, fall of Nigeria Naira greatly impacted the price of from 2023 to date compared to the year 2022 when the hajj fare was 2,500,000.00.
The Don maintained that currently, intending pilgrims are to pay approximately between 8.4m and 8.8m equivalent to around 6,000 USD while intending Pilgrims from Borno and Adamawa zones pay 8,327,125.59.
Professor Badmas pointed out that other states in the Northern region will pay 8, 457,685.59 while those from southern zone will pay sum of 8,785,085.59.
He attributed the variance in the hajj fare to proximity to Saudi Arabia while intending pilgrims from Borno and Adamawa zones are closer than those from Northern and Southern zones.
Professor Badmas also noted that the type of accommodation in Madinah and Makkah and the category of tents in Mina and Arafah also affect the cost of hajj
He was of the view that the closer the accommodation to the Haram of Makkah and Madinah the higher the cost, compared to some other countries like Morocco, Algeria , Ghana, Canada and Malaysia which the hajj fare relatively cheaper.
The Professor Islamic Studies explained that presently, in Nigeria , like other countries, the government body saddled with organisation of hajj is the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The Don described the responsibilities NAHCON to include licencing, supervision and performance of oversight functions on states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards/Commissions/ Agencies and private travel and tour Agencies.
He asserted that to achieve an itch-free hajj exercise and to prevent possibility of overcrowding that may lead to stampede, Saudi government regulates the number of Muslims who will perform hajj every year
