The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has dismissed claims that it owes Private Tour Operators (PTOs) N17 billion related to caution deposits for the 2024 Hajj. During a virtual meeting with PTOs, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, clarified that the commission received only N2.75 billion from 110 registered companies for the 2024 Hajj, which includes a rollover of N1.25 billion from the previous year. This statement counters allegations made by the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN), which threatened to sue NAHCON for failing to refund over N17 billion claimed owed to its members.
AHOUN President Abdullateef Ekundayo Yusuf accused NAHCON of withholding caution deposits, refunds for unused visas, and other payments without transparency. However, Elegushi refuted these claims, stating that out of the N2.75 billion received, 30 companies requested refunds totaling N750 million, which has already been paid. The remaining N750 million is retained by the commission for PTOs with undecided claims.
In a statement from Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, it was announced that the commission’s new leadership has approved an option for PTOs to use a Bank Guarantee as payment for the N40 million caution deposit required for the 2025 Hajj. PTOs that have already made cash deposits can request a refund if they opt for the Bank Guarantee. The registration deadline for this option has been extended to October 11, 2024.
Elegushi also advised PTOs facing time constraints to use a Bank Draft for the caution deposit, which they can retrieve later once their Bank Guarantee is prepared. This flexibility is offered even beyond the registration deadline to accommodate procedural delays.