To ease financial pressure on pilgrims, who took part in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the Federal Government and no fewer than eight states spent N100.642 billion on the pilgrims as subsidies and allowances.
The 2024 Hajj lasted from June 14 to June 19.
Coming at a time when no fewer than 20 states refused to pay wage awards to their workers to reduce the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, an Executive member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, said that the Muslim community never requested the Hajj subsidies.
Sani expressed concern that the government's priorities are misplaced and that the funds could have been better spent on scholarships and other pressing issues.
However, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, commended the governments for the gesture saying it was a necessary rescue package for pilgrims.
FG spent N90bn
At the flag-off of the inaugural airlift for the 2024 Hajj exercise at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu,
disclosed that the president had ordered the payment of N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 Hajj.
The Vice President said the president took this initiative on account of the economic situation in Nigeria, and urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.
Like the Federal Government, many states, especially, in the North, catered for the welfare of their pilgrims. Most of the states did not disclose how much they spent on their pilgrims; however, seven states disbursed N10.699 billion.
Governors prioritise pilgrims' welfare over workers pay
There are indications that many governors in the North prioritised the subsidisation of pilgrimage of some privileged persons in their states over the payment of the wage award initiated by the Federal Government to their workers.
Vanguard's checks indicate that apart from some governors directly funding expenses of the pilgrims from their states, others substantially subsidised the pilgrimage of their pilgrims.
However, most of the governors have vehemently opposed the payment of wage awards to their workers since the Federal Government introduced the six-month payment upon the withdrawal of fuel subsidy last year to cushion the spiral effect on their income and welfare.
Kebbi spent N4 billion
In Kebbi State government, Governor Nasiru Idris subsidised the Hajj expenses by donating One million naira to each of the 4000 pilgrims.
Plateau sponsored 540 of 1,233 pilgrims with N2bn loan
In Plateau State with 1,233 pilgrims, the state and local government councils concertedly sponsored no fewer than 540 of the pilgrims.
To facilitate their travel, the State Muslims Pilgrims Board secured a bank loan of N2 billion to enable it to obtain the needed number of Hajj slots from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, before the intending pilgrims not sponsored by the State or Local Government Area made their deposits.
Kano offered N1.56bn subsidy
On his part, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State announced a N500,000 subsidy for each of the 3,121 pilgrims from the state running into N1,560,500,000.
It was also gathered that the Governor gifted the pilgrims 100 Saudi Riyal each amounting to N62.42 million as Sallah gesture.
1,815 pilgrims get N550 million in Borno In Borno State, no fewer than 1,815 pilgrims received N303,000 each as subsidy from the state government. The total sum is N549,945,000.
Zamfara spent N257.7m on 1,718 pilgrims
In Zamfara, the state government supported each of the 1,718 pilgrims with $100, which at N1500 to a Dollar amounted N257, 700,000.
Nasarawa pilgrims got N1.23 billion
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State splashed $200, and 200 Riyals on each of 1, 760 Nasarawa pilgrims. At the current exchange rate, one Saudi Riyal is equivalent to N396.91.
Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrazaq Abacha Madaki, who confirmed this in a message to journalists, said Governor Sule had continued to demonstrate impeccable leadership and compassion after he personally donated two hundred dollars for the Islamic Hadaya and two hundred Saudi Riyals as Sallah gift to each of the 1, 760 pilgrims from Nasarawa State The board image maker explained that the donation was in fulfillment of the the governor's earlier promise to the pilgrims when departing for the Holy land of Mecca. The summation of the donations, at current exchange rate is N1.227 billion.
Lagos, Ogun subsidized operations with N1.042bn
The Ogun State government subsidized year 2024 Hajj with N119,560,712.70, which is the shortfall in pilgrims' Basic Travel Allowance, BTA The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, confirmed this to Vanguard in Abeokuta.
Also, Lagos State Government disbursed N923 million as Hajj subsidy for 1,846 pilgrims, this year.
Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu said this through the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro.
Niger caters for rams, slaughtering
In Niger State, Vanguard's checks showed that 3,223 pilgrims went to this year's holy pilgrimage to Mecca.
Each of them paid N6,699,000 for the trip without any subsidy from the state government.
However, the state government, it was gathered, paid for the purchase and slaughtering (Hadaya) of one ram for each of the pilgrims in Mecca.
Other states
However, the sums spent by a host of the states were not disclosed. In Oyo State, Government sources said it was impossible for the government not to subsidize Hajj fare because it's too costly, and "that's the tradition for both Christian and Muslim pilgrims."
In Kwara, there were 3117 pilgrims, according to the Secretary of the Pilgrims' Board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, who however declined to disclose what the state had given to each of the pilgrims to supplement their payment for the trip.
"I cannot tell you the amount because it is beyond me," he quipped.
Although Kaduna State had no fewer than 4,600 pilgrims, officials declined to disclose how much the government paid to subsidise their trips, insisting that such information was beyond their brief.
Taraba sponsored 111 pilgrims
In Taraba State, the government-sponsored 111 of pilgrims for this year's Hajj.
Apart from this, the only subsidy the other pilgrims from the state benefited from was provided by the Federal Government.
This subsidy was available only to those who had paid the initial cost stipulated by NAHCON before the price was reviewed upwards.
Bayelsa funded 10 of 13 pilgrims
In Bayelsa, a senior appointee of the State government confirmed the state fully sponsored 10 persons to this year's Hajj, while three other persons were on self-sponsorship.
However, at the time of filing this report, an official at the Bayelsa State Pilgrims Welfare Board said they were still working on the amount to approve for the pilgrims because of the volatility of the naira to the dollar.
Muslims never asked, govt playing politics with subsidies -- NSCIA Exco
Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Sanni stated that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, opposed free Hajj trips and preferred scholarships instead.
His words: "The Muslims never asked the government to subsidize pilgrimage. Politicians often seek to appeal to the sentiments of Nigerians, whether they are Christians or Muslims. They likely did this of their own volition, perhaps hoping to gain favour with the Muslim community.
"This is why, during Christmas, both federal and state governments subsidize transportation for Christians, allowing them to travel by road or by train free of charge for one month for their religious festivals. The politicians likely aimed to appeal to Christians as well.
"However, this practice was not replicated during the Islamic festival, and we did not complain. Those who had already paid for their pilgrimage in full before the various governments announced their hajj fare subsidies were not refunded a single dime. I can state this unequivocally and with reliable authority. Hajj is not compulsory unless one has the financial means to fund it. Islamic teachings clearly state that Hajj is obligatory only for those who can afford it.
"Trusting politicians can be risky; it's possible that no money has actually been released despite the announced subsidies. Many of the listed beneficiaries may never receive the subsidies. The government stated that the Hajj subsidy would cover those with outstanding payments. It was not a full subsidy but was intended for those who had made deposits but became unable to pay the balance when the Naira plummeted.
"To the best of my knowledge, and as someone closely connected to Islamic authorities in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, never requested any government to subsidize Hajj for Muslims.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
"The Sultan personally opposes providing free Hajj trips. He prefers that such funds be allocated to scholarships, as there are many other pressing issues that the government could address instead of sponsoring people for Hajj. Sending someone to Hajj costs about N8 million.
"If you give an average Nigerian N8 million, they are likely to use it effectively. They could start a business with that money and, after a few years, have enough funds to sponsor themselves for Hajj. However, Nigerian politicians, being who they are, often prefer to make some noise."
It was a lifeline -- MURIC
Toeing a different line, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the subsidy was a response to the extraordinary circumstances faced by the pilgrims who had paid the full amount required but were affected by the unforeseen fluctuation in naira's value.
Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Akintola said: "Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate for the government to subsidize pilgrimage. The subsidy provided by the government in the past year was prompted by the difficulties faced by Muslim pilgrims.
"They did not explicitly request the subsidy, either individually or collectively. However, during the payment process, some pilgrims had already paid the full amount required when the Nigerian currency experienced significant fluctuation.
"They did not ask for the subsidy, but the prices changed after they had already paid, and it was not due to indigence. They had collected the exact amount that the Pilgrims' Board required.
Unfortunately, the value of the money they paid dropped, and they were asked to find additional funds. This is the true situation we face.
"Ordinarily, we have argued that under normal circumstances, there would be no need for governments' intervention in pilgrimage matters. About five years ago, MURIC launched a campaign urging the federal government to withdraw from pilgrimage affairs.
"Muslims can manage pilgrimage on their own; this year alone, at least 65,000 Muslim pilgrims went for Hajj. When such a large number of people pool their resources and manage them properly, they can return with profits. Therefore, we suggested that the government should withdraw its involvement."
