Hajj experts in Nigeria predict that Nigerian pilgrims may pay above N10 million each for the 2025 Hajj following the federal government’s decision to stop subsidy for the pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) recently announced that the government will no longer subsidise Hajj, a move expected to significantly impact the cost of the pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims intending to visit the Holy land in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The NAHCON had earlier said the government’s decision to end the decades-long subsidy was a result of the hike in naira/dollar rate and the economic challenges the country is struggling with.
The current exchange rate for the Nigerian naira (NGN) against the US dollar (USD) is fluctuating around N1,620 to N1,667 per dollar.
Alhaji Nasidi Yahaya Sulaiman, an expert in Hajj exercise, while interacting with BBC Hausa, warned that the cost of the 2025 Hajj could soar to unprecedented levels.
“The cost will be higher than in any previous year. It all depends on the exchange rate. If the dollar remains high, the price of a Hajj seat could reach 10 million naira or even more. For instance, if the dollar rate hits 2,000 naira, we could see the cost of Hajj exceeding 10 million naira.”
Sulaiman further predicted a substantial reduction in the number of Nigerian pilgrims to about 50%.
The Impact of Subsidy Removal
The federal government’s subsidy removal is a major shift in Nigeria’s Hajj policies.
Last year, the government provided financial aid amounting to N90 billion which helped the Muslim pilgrims observed the Hajj, despite the rising costs of travel and accommodation.
Without this support, pilgrims will bear the full brunt of fluctuating exchange rates and rising global travel expenses.
Alhaji Nasidi, thus, emphasized that Hajj is only obligatory for those who can afford it, as stated in Islamic teachings, with no compulsion on those who lack the means.
He also urged NAHCON to reintroduce the Hajj Savings Fund, which allows pilgrims to make long term savings until they accumulate enough to cover the cost of the pilgrimage.
