By Muhammad Saminu
First, appreciation must go to Almighty Allah and to the federal government under President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) led by Abdullahi Saleh Usman, for their tireless efforts in ensuring a well-organized and affordable Hajj for Nigerian pilgrims this year.
There has been widespread misunderstanding about the 50% reduction in pilgrimage fees for Christian pilgrims. It is important to clarify the facts.
It should be noted that the financial support for Christian pilgrims was not a new expenditure. The funds in question were approved in 2024, during which the government also provided ₦90 billion to assist Muslim pilgrims under the leadership of Jalal Arabi. However, due to the Gaza war, Christian pilgrims were unable to travel at that time. The funds are therefore being utilized this year for the postponed pilgrimage, not as a fresh allocation.
Reports confirming this were published by several Nigerian newspapers in 2024 and remain available online.
The recent reduction in Hajj fares is another milestone achievement the first significant cut since 1992, and it reflects the government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on intending pilgrims.
It is hoped that this clarification helps dispel misconceptions and promotes better understanding of the government’s efforts to support both Muslim and Christian pilgrims fairly.
