The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has extended the deadline for 2025 Hajj registration to February 10, 2025. The decision was made after appeals from intending pilgrims who were unable to complete their registration before the previous deadline of January 31, 2025.
A statement released by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, confirmed the extension. The Chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Saleh Usman, made the announcement during a Zoom meeting with key Hajj stakeholders on Tuesday night.
During the meeting, Prof. Usman urged the Executive Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to work closely with the commission to ensure timely transfer of funds. He noted that these payments were necessary for securing accommodations that had already been inspected and booked.
The statement also noted that Saudi Arabia has set February 14, 2025, as the deadline for contract signings. Therefore, all payments must be sent to the designated IBAN account in Saudi Arabia before this date to be recognized on the e-track (Nusuk Masar) registration portal. Since international transfers take time, early payment is crucial.
Meanwhile, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, proposed that pilgrims who can afford the Hajj fare—excluding the $5,000 Basic Travel Allowance—should go ahead with their payments while arranging for the allowance separately.
He also noted that some pilgrims were unable to complete their payments because they were short by ₦200,000, despite reaching the required Hajj fare amount.
Malam Idris Almakura, the Executive Secretary and Chairman of the Forum of States, supported Prof. Usman’s call and advised state officials to remit funds as soon as possible instead of waiting for the deadline. He noted that transferring funds early would help prevent any last-minute complications, especially before the scheduled physical meeting next Tuesday.
Similarly, Alhaji Faruku Yaro, Executive Secretary of Kebbi State and Deputy Chairman of the Forum, cautioned that delays in sending payments to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could lead to contract cancellations, as experienced last year. He also advised stakeholders to take advantage of the current favourable exchange rates before any fluctuations affect costs.
