Tinubu's Government Lavish N100.6bn on 2024 HAJJ Pilgrims Amid Economic Crisis

The Federal Government and some states have spent N100.642 billion on the pilgrims as subsidies and allowances.

According to reports, the cash was allocated to ease financial pressure on pilgrims, who took part in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca,

The 2024 Hajj lasted from June 14 to June 19.h

This is Coming at a time when no fewer than 20 states refused to pay wage awards to their workers to reduce the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, an Executive member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, said that the Muslim community never requested the Hajj subsidies.

Sani expressed concern that the government’s priorities are misplaced and that the funds could have been better spent on scholarships and other pressing issues.

However, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, commended the governments for the gesture saying it was a necessary rescue package for pilgrims.

At the flag-off of the inaugural airlift for the 2024 Hajj exercise at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu,
disclosed that the president had ordered the payment of N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 Hajj.

The Vice President said the president took this initiative on account of the economic situation in Nigeria and urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.

Like the Federal Government, many states, especially, in the North, catered for the welfare of their pilgrims. Most of the states did not disclose how much they spent on their pilgrims; however, seven states disbursed N10.699 billion.