Northern Departure Zones                     Southern Departure Zones

N                                    N

i. Minimum fare (with $750 BTA) 520,249.75           527,067.25

ii. Medium fare (with $1000 BTA) 553,999.75          560,817.25

iii. Maximum fare (with $1500 BTA) 621,499.75      628,317.25

2. The Commission wishes to observe that the increase of about 8% in the 2011 Hajj fares as compared to that of 2010 was due to corresponding increases in the cost of some of the components of the fare, including pilgrims accommodation in Saudi Arabia as well as cost of aviation fuel which necessitated a slight increase in the cost of air fare. Indeed the increment would have been much higher than 8% if not for the approval granted by Mr. President for a concessionary exchange rate of N135 to 1US$.

3. The gesture of the Federal Government, which is in continuation of its longstanding commitment to facilitate smoother Hajj for Nigerians, will go a long way in supporting the ordinary Nigerian pilgrims in the discharge of their religious obligation.

4. The Commission uses this medium to request the States and other pilgrims’ agencies to speed up the process of collecting the balance of the Hajj fares from intending pilgrims and remitting same to NAHCON to facilitate early conclusion of necessary arrangements.