The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has extended the registration deadline for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to February 10, 2025. This decision follows multiple appeals from intending pilgrims who were unable to complete their registration on time.
NAHCON Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, made the announcement during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, which was attended by key stakeholders in the Hajj sector.
Prof. Usman urged State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to work closely with the Commission to expedite the transfer of funds, emphasizing that accommodation arrangements had already been inspected and reserved.
He reminded stakeholders that Saudi Arabia has set February 14, 2025, as the deadline for contract signings, meaning all payments must be received in the designated IBAN account before this date to be recognized on the e-track (Nusuk Masar) registration portal. Given the time required for international transactions, he stressed the importance of early remittance to avoid disruptions.
During the meeting, NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, suggested that pilgrims who can afford the Hajj fare—excluding the $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA)—should start making payments while sourcing the BTA separately.
He noted that some pilgrims fell short by just ₦200,000, preventing them from completing their payment despite meeting the overall Hajj fare requirement.
The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Hajj Board and Chairman of the Forum of States, Malam Idris Almakura, echoed Prof. Usman’s call, urging state officials to remit available funds immediately rather than waiting until the final deadline.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of Kebbi State and Deputy Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Faruku Yaro, advised his counterparts to promptly deposit all pilgrim payments into NAHCON’s CBN account. He warned that delays could lead to contract cancellations, as witnessed in the previous year.
