The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced February 12, 2024 as the deadline for the payment of 2024 Hajj by all intending pilgrims.
The commission urged those that have made their initial deposit to pay up their balance by February 12, 2024.
The Director FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abubakar Adamu-Evuti, on Wednesday said that those that made an initial deposit of N4.5 million have a balance of N190,000 to make a full deposit of N4,690,000 for 2025 hajj fare.
His words: “So far, over 2,000 intending pilgrims have so far paid for their fare out of 4,365 FCT allocations by the National HAJJ commission.”
Adamu-Evuti revealed that airlifting of intending pilgrims would start on the 19 May, while the orientation exercise ends in April.
He stressed that those that have interest to perform this year’s HAJJ but have not yet made any payment could use the four days window to do so.
Adamu-Evuti added: “You are well aware that the Nation Hajj Commission, September last year flagged off the 2024 Hajj Season. Just like other states, we were directed to commence the season’s activity and we announced it to the public.
“The National Hajj Commission had pegged the initial deposit at N4.5 million. We told the intended pilgrims to go ahead to their banks and raise a draft in favour of FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to the N4.5 million that was pegged by the National Hajj Commission.
“The National Hajj Commission had given the FCT an allocation of 4,368 pilgrims. The process has begun since and we are now in February. Between that time to date we have registered close to 2,500 pilgrims already.
“This season we have a challenge of timeline because the registration had always been open-ended up till the day of take off.
“But the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has come up with a new timeline which indicates that all registrations, collection of data and payment by pilgrims must close at least 45 days before Arafat. In view of this, NAHCON has issued a statement that all registrations, collection of data and Hajj fares for the 2024 by pilgrims should be closed by February 12th.”
Adamu-Evuti said by 1st of March, issuance of Visa would begin and close by April 29th.
He added that May 9th or May 11th, the first batch from Nigerians to the Holy land would take off.
He said the commission would adhere to the timelines strictly, considering the way and manner Saudi Arabia adhered to all the rules and regulations coming with that.