So, on the 28th February, 2024, VP Shettima, on behalf of Tinubu, inaugurated the new National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
While inaugurating them, he said “the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acumen and records of selfless dedication to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.”
Now, those words of praise from Shettima already cast doubt on the New NAHCON board members.
Don’t take my word for it…the following events will prove it…
NAHCON opened the application shortly after their inauguration. Of all the requirements for the application, Nigerians who’re interested in applying, were eagerly waiting to hear about the application fee. And finally, when it dropped, it was unexpectedly outrageous – each pilgrim was to pay a whopping sum of N4.5 million!
What’s more surprising is that the fee is almost double the amount each pilgrim paid for last year’s hajj – which was N2.9 million. So, why the huge hike? Well, NAHCON said it’s because of Naira fall to dollar.
You know, it’s part of NAHCON’s duty to calculate the exchange rate and give each pilgrim their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA). This is the money they’ll use to sustain themselves through their period of stay – except of course, the person has personal funds.
A few months after, NAHCON increased the application fee to N4.9 million per pilgrim. At this time, 49,000 pilgrims had registered and paid the initial amount.
The Pilgrims were ye to recover from the shock when, on 25th May, the money was increased again to N6.8 million – for people who had paid before. That’s an extra N1.918 million. They’re directed to the money latest by 11:59 p.m. of 28th March 2024 else no Hajj for them – just a 3-day notice.
Meanwhile, those who are to register newly will have to cough out about N8.4 million.
Now, there’s this issue of discrepancy in the amounts pilgrims paid based on the regions. Pilgrims from the South will pay N8.4 million while those from the North were to pay N8.2 million. The reason isn’t known.
Let’s proceed…
So, by NAHCON provision, each Pilgrim was supposed to get $800 as their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA). Asides from paying the BTA, they’d cater for other expenses like flight and feeding.
Interestingly, months after, NAHCON announced that the $800 for BTA has been reduced to $500. As if that’s now enough, just few days to the take off to Saudi Arabia, a new development occurred – the BTA has been further reduced to $371!
Why the reduction? NAHCON responds that it’s because of naira fall to dollar. But you increased the fee for every pilgrim to augment for the difference in exchange rate? So, why further reduce the BTA?
They further explained that, initially, they used an exchange rate of N1,252.01 to $1 to calculate hajj fare (including the BTA) this amounted to $500 for each pilgrim. But eventually, the CBN released an exchange rate of N1,530.86 to $1 for BTA. This amounted to $415.
Now, the question is, how come both NAHCON and CBN are releasing two different rates at almost the same time? If the CBN rate amounts to $415 why were pilgrims told they’d be paid $371 instead?
Anyways, most state governors quickly came to the rescue. They provided the money to augment the drop in the BTA. So, it means, each pilgrimage will still have $500.
For instance, Gov Abiodun of Ogun state paid N119,560,712.70 million to augment for pilgrims from his state. Kano state governor paid N376 for his own people. Other states like, Rivers, Kebbi, Sokoto, etc. paid for their people too.
The pilgrims are about to take off. NAHCON was supposed to pay them the BTA before or as soon as they touched down Saudi Arabia. But it seems only $200 was paid, remaining $300.
Now, they’re in Saudi Aarabia. Today, 28th May, is the first day at the Hajj and the pilgrims are yet to be paid the $300 BTA balance. They woke up to have their breakfast, only to be served half-filled small bowl of “pap” and 3 pieces of akara – you can imagine the wonderful “breakfast” they’re “served!”.
How on earth do you give such food to adults if you don’t consider them IDP refugees? People who paid a whopping sum of N8.4 million to apply for pilgrimage, coupled with the N90 billion provided by the govt!
Recall, that Shettima had, in February, announced that Tinubu had signed N90 billion for the pilgrimage.
Now, instead of the pilgrims, who went to seek the face of “their creator,” to focus and pray, they’re rather protesting for their $300 BTA.
You can imagine the international embarrassment on a global stage!
Funny thing, NAHCON who is in charge of the pilgrimage, are saying they’re “investigating the matter.” How can they be investigating themselves.
Well, that’s the usual statement from Nigerian govt and when you hear that, you can tell “the sc@m is real.”
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