The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has called for the urgent development of a resilient and self-sustaining Hajj financing model for Nigeria, urging stakeholders to learn from successful models in Malaysia and Indonesia. He made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the 2nd National Hajj Stakeholders Summit in Abuja, themed “Sustainable Hajj Financing: Developing a Resilient Model for Nigerian Pilgrims and Operators.”
Shettima, who was represented at the event by personnel from his office, Bashir Maigudu, commended the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for its unwavering commitment to improving the Hajj experience and praised the Hajj Institute of Nigeria for its vital role in research and policy development. He noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown unwavering commitment to supporting the spiritual journey of Nigerian Muslims.
“In the last two years, the Tinubu administration has facilitated timely foreign exchange allocations, diplomatic engagement with Saudi authorities, and special interventions to cushion the rising cost of Hajj.”
“Despite global economic uncertainties, the President personally approved critical measures to ensure that this sacred obligation remains within reach for thousands of Nigerian Muslims,” he stated.
Highlighting the need for long-term planning, the Vice President referenced Malaysia’s Tabung Haji and Indonesia’s Hajj Fund Management Authority as models worth emulating. He noted that Malaysia’s system, established over 60 years ago, not only ensures affordability for pilgrims but also contributes to national economic development.
“These models exemplify the potential of strategic fund management in ensuring financial sustainability and better services for pilgrims. We must adopt and adapt these principles to suit our unique Nigerian context,” he stressed.
Shettima emphasized the importance of the Hajj Savings Scheme introduced by NAHCON in 2020, urging stakeholders, including state pilgrims’ boards, financial institutions, Islamic scholars, and professionals to work together to create innovative, Sharia-compliant models that will keep Hajj affordable and spiritually fulfilling.
“We must ensure that Hajj remains accessible, affordable, and aligned with the dignity it commands,” he added, commending Jaiz Bank for its novel initiative to collect Hidayah payments in Naira.
Also speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, represented at the event by the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, reiterated the need for a digitized and efficient Hajj system. He urged the Hajj Institute of Nigeria to provide training and certification for operators, while calling on religious leaders to offer spiritual guidance that supports pilgrims’ welfare.
In his intervention, the Rector of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria, Professor Mohammed Nasirudeen Maiturare, painted a sobering picture of the current Hajj financing landscape. He revealed that while the number of Nigerian pilgrims dropped from 95,000 in 2023 to 51,477 in 2024, overall expenditure rose to over ₦350 billion with 2025 costs projected to exceed ₦420 billion.
“This inverse relationship fewer pilgrims, higher costs signal a pivotal opportunity. With the right strategies, these resources can be reinvested to reduce future costs and improve service delivery,” Professor Maiturare said.
He emphasized that Hajj financing in Nigeria must shift from outdated systems to more inclusive, transparent, and innovative models. Citing global best practices and Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation under Vision 2030, he urged Nigeria to embrace fintech integration, digital payments, and private sector involvement.
“Nigeria is the only country in Africa with a full-fledged institution for Hajj training and research, and the only one globally to host a national ‘Hajj Summit’ by name,” Maiturare proudly noted, highlighting the country’s unique position to lead reforms.
Earlier, NAHCON Chairman Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness for the 2025 Hajj. He announced the successful onboarding of three new banks into the Hajj Savings Scheme; Alternative Bank, TAJ Bank, and Lotus Bank — to widen access to non-interest financial services for pilgrims.
With over 40,000 pilgrims set to be airlifted this year and the first flight scheduled for May 9, NAHCON assured that all arrangements are in place for a seamless Hajj operation. The summit, he said, would provide practical frameworks for a resilient financial future for Hajj in Nigeria,” he concluded.
