The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a cash-based Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for Nigerian pilgrims embarking on the 2025 Hajj.
This decision follows an intervention by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who appealed to President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the pilgrims through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The CBN had earlier introduced a new payment method for BTA, requiring pilgrims to use mandatory debit cards for transactions during the pilgrimage.
However, concerns were raised that this system would pose difficulties for pilgrims, particularly in areas where electronic payment facilities are limited.
NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management & Finance, Mr. Aliu Abdulrazaq, confirmed that the CBN granted Nigerian pilgrims the opportunity of cash transactions for this year’s Hajj.
“Out of the magnanimity of the CBN and appeal made by the Vice President, they dropped the idea of a card for pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj, and they conceded to people having cash instead of a card,” he said.
Abdulrazaq explained that the cash-based system would make it easier for pilgrims, particularly peasant farmers, who have difficulties with electronic payments.
“If you go to Saudi Arabia, mostly the areas where the pilgrims are going to perform their rituals, there is only one Automated Teller Machine there, and it is always crowded – it poses so much difficulties for pilgrims to purchase whatever they want to purchase,” he said.
NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali, clarified that the change is neither a concession nor a subsidy from the federal government.
“The Vice President intervened because most of the pilgrims make purchases in the streets of Mecca or Medina, and they do not need debit cards to make their purchases. Now it is allowed for them to carry cash. The CBN will provide the cash at the market rate.”
The Director of Human Resources at the CBN and Board member representing the CBN in NAHCON, Abba Muhammad Aliyu, said the CBN granted NAHCON’s request because the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims was of utmost interest to the Nigerian government.
“Looking at the financial literacy of the pilgrims, there is a need for us to see that we make life easy for them because a lot of them do not know how to operate the ATM,” he explained.
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