Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a subsidy of N500,000 for 2,096 intending Muslim pilgrims from the state for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
The decision comes in response to a directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to each intending pilgrim to pay an additional N1.9 million to the 2024 Hajj fare.
Earlier this week, NAHCON announced a significant increase of N1,918,032.91, bringing the total Hajj fare to N6,617,032.91 per pilgrim.
The Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Dan Baffa, made the announcement during a media briefing held on Wednesday in Kano. He revealed that the state government would cover the total sum of N1.4 billion for the 2,096 registered pilgrims from the State.
Explaining the rationale behind the subsidy, Dan Baffa cited the recent hike in Hajj fare by NAHCON, attributed to the instability of the exchange rate, and acknowledged the economic challenges faced by many intending pilgrims. He emphasised that the subsidy initiative was introduced to alleviate the financial strain on the intending pilgrims.
With the subsidy in place, intending pilgrims from Kano State will now pay additional N1.4 million instead of the stipulated N1.9 million demanded by NAHCON.
“I want to make it clear that the subsidy is for our 2,096 registered pilgrims who had made their part payment with the board. But fresh intending pilgrims are required to pay N8,254,464.74 as the full Hajj fare for this year as required by the National Hajj Commission,” Dan Baffa clarified.
Dan Baffa further clarified that new intending pilgrims would be required to pay the full Hajj fare of N8,254,464.74 as mandated by NAHCON. He urged all registered pilgrims to settle the remaining balance before the March 28, 2024 deadline set by NAHCON.
Furthermore, Dan Baffa appealed to NAHCON to extend the payment deadline, requesting more time for intending pilgrims to complete their payments.
“I am pleading with the NAHCON to plead with Saudi authorities to extend the time so that many Nigerians can attend this year’s pilgrimage,” he added.
