Nigeria: Fed Govt, Eight States Shell Out ₦100.6bn for 2024 Hajj Pilgrims

To ease the financial burden on pilgrims participating in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the Federal Government and eight states spent ₦100.642 billion on subsidies and allowances.

The Hajj pilgrimage, which took place from June 14 to June 19, saw significant government spending at a time when 20 states had refused to pay wage awards to their workers, citing hardships from the removal of the fuel subsidy. Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, an Executive member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), stated that the Muslim community had never requested these subsidies and expressed concern that the funds could have been better allocated to scholarships and other pressing issues.

However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) commended the government’s gesture, calling it a necessary rescue package for pilgrims.

Federal Government’s Contribution

At the flag-off of the inaugural airlift for the 2024 Hajj at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, announced that ₦90 billion had been allocated for the Hajj subsidy. He explained that this initiative was due to the economic situation in Nigeria and urged pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.

State Contributions

Many states, particularly in the North, also contributed to the welfare of their pilgrims:

• Kebbi State: Governor Nasiru Idris provided ₦1 million to each of the 4,000 pilgrims, totaling ₦4 billion.
• Plateau State: The state and local government councils jointly sponsored 540 of the 1,233 pilgrims, securing a ₦2 billion loan for Hajj slots.
• Kano State: Governor Abba Yusuf offered a ₦500,000 subsidy per pilgrim, totaling ₦1.56 billion, and gifted 100 Saudi Riyal to each pilgrim, amounting to ₦62.42 million.
• Borno State: The state government provided a subsidy of ₦303,000 each to 1,815 pilgrims, totaling ₦550 million.
• Zamfara State: Each of the 1,718 pilgrims received $100, amounting to ₦257.7 million.
• Nasarawa State: Governor Abdullahi Sule provided $200 and 200 Riyals to each of 1,760 pilgrims, totaling ₦1.23 billion.
• Ogun State: The state subsidized the 2024 Hajj with ₦119.56 million.
• Lagos State: The government disbursed ₦923 million as a Hajj subsidy for 1,846 pilgrims.

Reactions to the Subsidies

Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni of NSCIA criticized the subsidies, suggesting that politicians were playing politics with these funds and that the money could have been better spent on scholarships and other pressing issues. He noted that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, preferred that such funds be used for scholarships.

In contrast, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, argued that the subsidy was a lifeline for pilgrims who had already paid the full amount but were affected by the naira’s fluctuation. He noted that under normal circumstances, government intervention in pilgrimage matters would not be necessary.

This article is sourced from The Vanguard newspaper, with minor edits and adaptations by The Spectacles for clarity and readability.