The federal government has allocated ₦90 billion to offset part of the costs for pilgrims embarking on the journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year.
According to a reliable insider at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), who preferred to remain anonymous, the government’s intervention will alleviate financial burdens on prospective pilgrims. Without this assistance, each individual would have been required to cover an additional ₦3.5 million on top of the initial fare, which stood at ₦4.9 million.
Additionally, a high-ranking official at the Presidency affirmed the government’s financial backing for the hajj, emphasizing the discreet nature of such support to avoid perceptions of favoritism toward any particular faith.
The fare for the pilgrimage was initially set by NAHCON in December of the preceding year, based on prevailing exchange rates. However, due to ongoing foreign exchange challenges in Nigeria, the commission was compelled to revise the fare upwards, resulting in an increase to ₦6.8 million per pilgrim.
To mitigate the impact of these fluctuations, NAHCON reached out to state governments, urging them to subsidize hajj expenses for their residents. Notably, Kano State has responded by offering a subsidy of ₦500,000 per pilgrim.
While the ₦90 billion provided by the federal government may only cover a portion of the expenses for a limited number of pilgrims, it represents a significant effort to ease financial strain on participants. The government’s decision to extend support underscores its commitment to facilitating religious obligations while maintaining neutrality and fairness across faiths.
