The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refunded a total of N5.3 billion to various stakeholders.

This decision comes in response to complaints about poor services, particularly the disruption of electricity that affected cooling systems at the Masha'ir camping site, causing discomfort to Nigerian pilgrims.

NAHCON has allocated N4,479,362,880.00 to States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory, and the Armed Forces. Additionally, N917,148,479.99 has been disbursed to 192 accredited tour companies.

The commission emphasized that these funds are intended for "onward disbursement to their respective pilgrims," ensuring that each pilgrim receives a refund of N61,080.00.

"This refund shows NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman/CEO, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations," stated Muhammad Ahmad Musa, Head of Public Affairs at NAHCON.

Looking ahead, NAHCON has urged all intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj to deposit their fares promptly with their respective State Pilgrims Boards.

This measure is crucial for the timely transmission of funds to NAHCON, facilitating early arrangements in compliance with Saudi Arabia's guidelines.

To ensure transparency in the refund process, NAHCON has called upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant security agencies to monitor the arrangement closely.