CSO Urges CBN To Exclude Hajj Pilgrims From BTA Payment With ATM

A faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to exclude 2025 intending pilgrims from the new policy of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) payment via Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, IHR’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, warned that the policy would cause unprecedented hardship and confusion within Nigeria’s Hajj ecosystem.

The group, which reports, monitors and advocates for workable Hajj policies in Nigeria, had previously opposed a similar policy during the 2024 Hajj exercise, saying its disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

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“We urge the CBN to exclude Hajj pilgrims from this policy due to the foreseeable difficulties our pilgrims will face in Saudi Arabia,” the statement read.

Recall that before the commencement of the 2024 Hajj airlift, the apex bank had informed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), State Pilgrim Welfare Board officials, and the Armed Forces that BTA—pegged at $500 per pilgrim—would be disbursed in a 60/40 ratio: $200 in cash and $300 via ATM cards.

The decision sparked controversy due to concerns about the challenges Nigerian pilgrims might face using ATM cards in Saudi Arabia.

The group stated that it gathered that the CBN intended to enforce the policy during the upcoming Hajj exercise.

“Firstly, the majority of Nigerian pilgrims come from rural areas and are not proficient in using electronic payment systems. Many may enter the wrong PIN three times, resulting in blocked cards while in Makkah or Madinah.

“Who will reactivate their cards at a time when their focus should be on performing Hajj rites diligently to attain Hajj Mabrur?” the group said.

Secondly, the group highlighted that there were fewer than 10 ATMs within Misfala and Shara Mansur—areas in Makkah where 90% of Nigerian pilgrims are accommodated during annual Hajj exercise.

Additionally, they pointed out that pilgrims would have to pay for the ATM cards and withdrawal charges, further depleting their $500 BTA.

Other risks, according to IHR, include the potential loss of ATM cards, theft, and scammers taking advantage of the chaotic nature of Hajj to defraud pilgrims.

The group also noted that, with Nigeria currently on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, ATM cards issued by Nigerian banks might be rejected by some vendors outside the country.