The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has revealed plans to eliminate the use of the dollar for Hajj-related payments, aiming to make the pilgrimage more affordable for Nigerians.
This was disclosed by the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Argungu at his palace.
Professor Saleh explained that the reliance on dollar payments for essential Hajj services, such as flights, has been a major factor driving up the cost, rendering the pilgrimage inaccessible for many.
While praising the Federal Government’s support, particularly through the Hajj subsidy, he expressed concern over the late payment of Hajj fares, which has resulted in Nigeria failing to meet its allocated quota of pilgrims.
He urged traditional and religious leaders to engage stakeholders to support the abolition of dollar transactions in pilgrimage-related activities.
Professor Saleh noted that while payments for lesser Hajj (Umrah) are made in Naira, airlines and service providers demand dollars for Hajj-related services, creating unnecessary financial hurdles for intending pilgrims.
The Chairman stressed that addressing this issue could lead to a significant reduction in Hajj fares for the 2025 pilgrimage.