Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has made a fervent appeal to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to address lingering accommodation issues for pilgrims and VIPs ahead of the 2025 Hajj exercise. The governor raised these concerns during a recent courtesy visit by NAHCON’s leadership to the Government House in Maiduguri, underscoring the need for urgent reforms to avoid the challenges faced during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Zulum, who has been a staunch advocate for the successful execution of Hajj operations in Nigeria, expressed particular concern over the accommodation arrangements in Mina and Arafah, two key sites for pilgrims during the Hajj. He described the issues surrounding lodging in these locations as “contentious,” emphasizing that they had caused significant discomfort during the 2024 pilgrimage.
“The accommodation issues in Mina and Arafah were contentious last year. This is an area that must be addressed before the next Hajj,” Zulum remarked, highlighting the need for NAHCON to take immediate action to resolve these challenges ahead of the 2025 pilgrimage. His concerns reflect broader anxieties about the adequacy of facilities for the growing number of Nigerian pilgrims, especially given the highly competitive nature of Hajj services.
Governor Zulum reassured the NAHCON delegation of Borno State’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the success of the 2025 Hajj. “As the Governor of Borno State, I will do everything humanly possible to ensure the success of the Hajj exercise. Borno is among the leading states committed to Hajj activities in the country,” he stated, emphasizing that the state’s participation would remain robust.
The governor acknowledged the success of the 2024 Hajj for Borno pilgrims, commending the state’s smooth participation and the timely airlifting of pilgrims. He also recognized the significant support measures in place, which ensured that pilgrims from Borno faced no major challenges. This success, however, did not overshadow the persistent issues related to accommodation, which the governor insisted needed urgent attention to prevent a recurrence in 2025.
In addition to accommodation, Zulum also raised concerns about the cost of the pilgrimage, especially in light of the fluctuating exchange rate. He urged NAHCON to establish a more realistic benchmark for Hajj fares, taking into account the impact of the Nigerian Naira’s depreciation against foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. Dollar.
“The fluctuating exchange rate significantly impacted the 2024 Hajj. We need a more realistic fare structure to accommodate the changes in the foreign exchange regime,” Zulum stated, urging the commission to set provisional figures for Hajj fares well in advance. He also suggested that these figures should allow for flexibility, enabling state pilgrim boards to prepare early while adjusting as necessary based on market conditions.
The governor’s comments reflect the broader economic challenges faced by Nigerian pilgrims. The recent shift in Nigeria’s foreign exchange policy, which abolished the old parallel exchange rate system, has caused significant disruption to the pricing of Hajj services, making the pilgrimage more expensive for Nigerian Muslims. Zulum’s call for transparency and foresight in fare setting aims to provide some stability and predictability for pilgrims and state governments as they prepare for the next Hajj.
During the meeting, Zulum also took the opportunity to express his commitment to working closely with NAHCON to ensure a seamless 2025 Hajj exercise. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the state government and the commission, highlighting Borno’s proactive role in the pilgrimage process.
“I assure you that Borno State government is ready to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to facilitate seamless operations for the upcoming Hajj. We are prepared to work together to ensure that everything goes smoothly,” he said.
In response, NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, acknowledged the governor’s concerns and assured him that the commission was committed to reforming the Hajj process. Usman emphasized that the 2025 pilgrimage would see significant improvements, particularly in accommodation, airline selection, and feeding arrangements for Nigerian pilgrims.
“We have established committees to oversee the selection of airlines, accommodation arrangements, and feeding for the pilgrims,” Usman revealed. This move reflects NAHCON’s renewed focus on addressing the logistical challenges that have plagued past Hajj exercises.
One of the most promising developments discussed during the meeting was NAHCON’s ongoing efforts to reduce the financial burden on Nigerian pilgrims. Usman disclosed that the commission was in talks with service providers about conducting transactions in Naira, rather than in U.S. Dollars, in an attempt to mitigate the impact of the volatile exchange rate on the cost of the pilgrimage.
“The discussions we are having with service providers are aimed at reducing Hajj costs by enabling transactions in Naira instead of U.S. Dollars. This will help bring down costs for Nigerian pilgrims,” Usman said. If successful, this move could significantly reduce the financial pressure on pilgrims, making the Hajj more accessible for Nigerians from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
