The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it will refund about N270 million to 2,958 2024 Hajj pilgrims for services not rendered during the Hajj exercise.

The director of the board, Kadari Edah, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Monday, said that the amount was received from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Mr Edah explained that each of the pilgrims would receive N61,000, equivalent to 150 riyals.

He said that a committee had been inaugurated to ensure a hitch-free refund exercise.

He, however, said that each pilgrim would be properly identified and verified before he or she would receive the refund.

“Part of the criteria is that a benefiting pilgrim must have his/her evidence of travel, receipt and e-passport.

“A beneficiary must also appear before the committee in person, except in case of ill health or death,” he said.

The director also said that the board had established a department to handle Umra activities, which hitherto were being handled by private operators.

He said that the department would come up with the modalities on how best to handle the Umra activities.

On the 2025 Hajj exercise, Mr Edah said that intending pilgrims had been informed to deposit N8.4 million but subject to change when plans were concluded.

 (NAN)