The Hajj pilgrimage is considered a religious duty that every qualified Muslim should partake in at least once in their lifetime. As the 2024 Hajj season approaches, it’s time for Nigerian Muslims to start preparing for this sacred journey that takes careful planning and financial decisions.
While the pilgrimage is affordable for most locals, it may not be for those outside Saudi Arabia. Non-residents of Saudi may need to prepare around $3,000 to $10,000 per person for the 2024 Hajj program.
However, if you are a Nigerian willing to visit the holy land, then you need to know the price of Hajj for this year, 2024.
In this blog post, I will walk you through all you need to know about the price of Hajj in Nigeria in 2024, what is Hajj? its sacrosanctity, and the 2024 Hajj date.
Hajj and its Sacrosanctity
The Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which all Muslims who are physically and financially able must perform during the last month of the Islamic calendar.
This ritual has remained unchanged for over 1,400 years, tracing back to the days of Prophet Ibrahim, and follows the actions of the Prophet Muhammad 1,444 years ago. Millions of Muslims Ummah from different places around the world gather annually in Mecca to perform Hajj.
Hajj occurs between the 8th and 13th day in the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, called Dhul-Hijjah.
Some of its importance are:
- It offers Muslims a chance to wipe their past sins and start anew before Almighty Allah
- It purifies your soul
- Hajj is one of the ways to earn the reward of Jihad.
- It promotes equity. Making us know that all Muslims are equal in the sight of Allah SWT
Also, the slaughtering of goats, rams, cows, or camels signifies the conclusion of the rituals popularly known as the Ileya festival among the Southern Nigerians.
This is so because, from one Umrah to the next is an atonement for any sin committed to between, and the reward for an accepted Hajj is nothing but Paradise
Bukhari: 1773
Criteria for Performing Hajj
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam; hence it is a compulsion for you to perform Hajj if you meet all the criteria.
So every Muslim that satisfies the conditions below must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime:
- You must be of sound mind and fully control your mental faculties.
- You must be mature enough to understand the full importance and significance of what you are setting out to do.
- You must be financially sound enough to be able to bear all the expenses for Hajj.
- Also, you must be able to provide adequately for those who depend on you during your absence until you return.
Since we all know that Hajj is both an inward and external pilgrimage hence your intentions are essential.
Also, you must have prepared your body and soul. To perform Hajj, you must be a Saudi national or possess a pilgrimage visa.
2024 Hajj Price in Nigeria
For 2024, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has pegged the minimum deposit at ₦4.5 million, with final costs listed below.
2024 HAJJ FARE
- ₦4,899,000 – South
- ₦4,699,000 – North
- ₦4,679,000 – Yola and Maiduguri
The expenses of Hajj skyrocketed from international flights, accommodations, permits, meals, and the like. However, the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) estimates prices could reach ₦6 million, over double the ₦3 million spent in 2023. We all know why and the reason for the projection.
Specific 2024 Hajj costs include:
Airfare and Transportation:
Flights from Lagos to Jeddah can range from ₦300,000 to ₦500,000 or more depending on the time of booking and travel packages. There are also costs for ground transportation like airport taxis, buses between holy sites, etc.
Accommodations:
Most pilgrims stay in hotels, hostels, or tents, with average costs of ₦100,000 to ₦500,000 for the duration of Hajj. Prices vary by ratings and proximity to sites.
Permits and Fees:
The Hajj permit costs about ₦150,000 on average. There are also nominal visa fees, health/safety certificates, airport taxes, and other administrative dues.
Meals and Incidentals:
Pilgrims should budget about ₦5,000 per day for simple meals and snacks. Other costs like gift shopping, baggage fees, medical expenses, etc. may also be included.
2024 Hajj Dates
This year, Hajj rituals will commence on Friday, June 14, 2024, and run through the evening on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
However, the final date will be decided once the new moon of the month of Dhul Hijjah has been sighted.
Hajj Saving and Planning Tips
The high Hajj costs have prevented many intending pilgrims from registering, with only 16% signed up so far. Ideal planning should start 2+ years out, with savings set even earlier.
The Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Agency has set an initial deposit of ₦2.5 million for 2024 Hajj.
Additional money-saving tips:
- Cut back discretionary spending
- Look for extra income sources
- Start Hajj savings accounts
- Take advantage of bank loans
Reducing the Hajj Burden in 2024
Given the challenging financial obstacles, advocacy organizations such as the Arewa New Agenda (ANA) have started campaigns to improve Nigerian Muslim access to the Hajj in 2024.
Easing financial burdens and improving access for all pilgrims are among the objectives. Facilitating travel agency agreements, organizing community initiatives to raise funds, and working with the Nigerian Hajj Commission are some examples of support.
List of the 40 NAHCON Approved Tour Operators for 2024 Hajj
After extensive negotiations between the Nigerian and Saudi Arabian governments, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is pleased to announce that Saudi Arabia has approved Nigeria’s request to increase the number of licensed Nigerian tour operators permitted to organize the 2024 Hajj from 10 to 40 operators.
This reversal honors Nigeria’s commitment to supporting indigenous business entrepreneurs. the certified tour operators are listed in the table below:
| S/N | Tour Operator |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hajj Mabrur Ventures Limited |
| 2 | Hamsyl Travel and Tours Limited |
| 3 | Gaskiya Tourism and T Agency Limited |
| 4 | Shebra Travels and Tours Limited |
| 5 | Alhujaaj International Umrah and Hajj Services Limited |
| 6 | Taura Travel and Tours Limited |
| 7 | Tafsan Towers and Travels Limited |
| 8 | Amisad Air Support Services Limited |
| 9 | Al-Qibla Travels and Tours Limited |
| 10 | Danbare Travels Agency Limited |
| 11 | Masanawa Travel and Tours Limited |
| 12 | Travels Express Limited |
| 13 | Strive Wata Travel and Tours Limited |
| 14 | Maqbuul International Limited |
| 15 | Matasa World Wide T Agency Limited |
| 16 | Arafat Air Services Nigeria Limited |
| 17 | Murna Travel Agency Limited |
| 18 | Dala Air Services Limited |
| 19 | Libra Gold Travels and Tours Limited |
| 20 | Omosa Travels Limited |
| 21 | An-Noor Air Services Limited |
| 22 | Pyramid Travel and Tours Limited |
| 23 | Snowbal Travels and Tours Limited |
| 24 | Focal Point Travels Limited |
| 25 | Comerel Travels and Tours Limited |
| 26 | Tomeb Travels and Tours |
| 27 | Asan Umrah Company Limited |
| 28 | Amami Global Links Limited |
| 29 | Zango Travel and Tours Limited |
| 30 | Al-Halal Travel and Tours Limited |
| 31 | Dija Travels and Tours Limited |
| 32 | Al-Rahma for Hajj and Umrah Services Limited |
| 33 | Qiblah International Services Limited |
| 34 | Karamchi Travel and Tours Limited |
| 35 | Allahu Nuru Travels and Tours Limited |
| 36 | Dar Al-Islam Hajj and Umrah Limited |
| 37 | H.A.M Travel Air Services Limited |
| 38 | Imam Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited |
| 39 | Skybird Travels and Tours Limited |
| 40 | Al-Kauthar Travels and Tours Limited |
You can directly copy this table and paste it into your WordPress editor to display the companies in a two-column format.
Wrap Up
The exact date for the commencement of this hajj can only be authenticated by the sighting of the moon.
Ultimately, if you are going to perform this year’s hajj, endeavor to do it to the best of your ability. Stay focused on saving goals and utilize all resources to make this lifetime journey possible. Have faith that if destined, Hajj will be possible. The preparation starts today no matter the challenges.
References: