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2024 Hajj: Nigeria Bags 95,000 Pilgrims Slots
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2024 Hajj: Nigeria Bags 95,000 Pilgrims Slots
By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled a holistic roadmap for the 2024 Hajj and Umrah which includes the allocation of Hajj slots to participants countries.
Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah announced the development at a ceremony observed by officials and Representatives of Hajj missions in the Kingdom.
At the event, Nigeria has secured 95,000 pilgrims slots to perform the spiritual exercise in the Kingdom next year.
The Chairman of National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) Alh. Zikirullah Hassan disclosed the allocation to Nigeria adding that the intended Pilgrims are to deposit a minimum of 4.5 million.
With the release of the national allocation, Alh. Hassan hinted that the Hajj commission has subsequently approved the allocation of 71,000 slots to 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory FCT and the Nigeria Armed Forces for early preparation.
According to the state allocation, Kaduna 6,004; Kano 5,934; Sokoto 4,996; Kebbi 4,752; Katsina is is 4,513 and FCT is 4,368.
In the Southwest, Lagos got the lion’s share of 3, 517; Osun 1,764; Oyo 1,386; Ogun 1,191; Ondo 491 and Ekiti has the list allocation of 246.
Similarly, Edo has 412; Cross-River 67; Imo 199; Delta 64; Bayelsa 58; Anambra 15 while Enugu got 14 pilgrims slots. Abia and Akwa-Ibo have zero allocation.
The chairman man of the commission revealed that prospective pilgrims should expect a high cost for the Hajj 2024 fair considering the fluctuating nature of foreign exchange to local currency. Alh. Hassan noted that while the Hajj fair would be determined by dollar exchange, the cost of air fair and service in Saudi Arabia will also be a major factor in the overall cost of the 2024 Hajj.
