Travel agents in Nigeria are calling on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to expedite the refund of N2.7 billion, which includes deposits made for both the 2023 and 2024 Hajj seasons. The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), representing the affected agents, has voiced their concerns over the prolonged delay in receiving their funds.
The President of AHUON, Abdullateef Ekundayo, emphasized the urgency of the situation at a regional meeting in Lagos. He highlighted that the N2.7 billion includes N25 million in personal funds deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at NAHCON’s request ahead of the 2024 Hajj season. Ekundayo also stated that over N1 billion from 200 agents, representing their preliminary deposits for the 2023 Hajj, remains outstanding.
Despite assurances from NAHCON that the funds would be returned within three weeks after the conclusion of the Hajj operations, travel agents have been waiting for three months without receiving their refunds. This delay has caused significant financial strain on the agents, impacting their operations and jeopardizing their ability to fulfill future commitments.
The travel agents have urged the newly appointed Chairman of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Usman, to take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure the timely release of their funds. They hope that the new leadership will prioritize transparency and accountability in managing the commission’s financial affairs, restoring confidence among stakeholders.
