Nigerian intending pilgrims for this year’s hajj will receive only $415 and not $500 as Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) earlier approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for pilgrims from 36 states, FCT and armed forces group.
A highly placed source who spoke with HAJJ REPORTERS on Monday said the $500 BTA was approved by NAHCON based on the prevailing exchange rate of N1250 to a dollar – the benchmark which was used to tabulate the 2024 hajj fare. The dollar was N1250 when most Nigerian pilgrims paid their hajj fare.
“CBN is currently selling dollar to us at the rate of N1520 to a dollar. This shows a difference of N252 between what the pilgrims paid and the amount that the CBN is selling dollar to us. Going by this, each pilgrim can only receive $415 as BTA because we don’t know where to source the differences from” the official said.
Details later.
