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FG to End Hajj Subsidy for 2025, Pilgrims to Pay Full Fare
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that the federal government will not provide a subsidized exchange rate for the 2025 Hajj, meaning intending pilgrims will pay the full fare.
According to NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Sanda Usara, the government will no longer offer any concessionary exchange rate for both state-sponsored and private Hajj operators.
If the naira remains at its current rate of ₦1,650 per dollar, pilgrims could face costs nearing ₦10 million for the pilgrimage. Some states’ welfare boards have already asked pilgrims to deposit ₦8.5 million in anticipation of the final fare announcement.
Additionally, NAHCON confirmed that Nigerian pilgrims from the 2023 Hajj will receive a refund of 150 Saudi Riyals. The commission also shared updates about the reduction of private tour operators and clarified financial details from previous Hajj caution deposits.
It has been reported that Niger State and some northern states have come together and agreed to take down 979 forests in order to strengthen national security.
This was revealed by the Niger State Governor, represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, at the passing-out parade in Mutum Daya.
He also shared that the government will support in any way they can in order to achieve this and strengthen security in Nigeria.
“The state will make necessary arrangements to support and empower the Forest Guard families for their service to the nation. We will provide them with adequate healthcare insurance scheme.”
Nigerian news analyst, Mahmud Jega, has shared his opinion on the recent airstrike carried out by the United States in Nigeria, stating that Nigerians should not blame President Bola Tinubu for the incident.
Jega made this statement during a recent interview, where he said he does not believe many people will hold the Tinubu administration responsible, as Donald Trump had issued threats against Nigeria long before Tinubu’s administration.
“No, I don’t think many people will blame the Tinubu administration for what is happening now because President Donald Trump, when he first made the threats, it was clearly not in coordination with the Tinubu administration or the government of Nigeria,” Jega said.
It has been reported that the United States carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS in the northwest region of Nigeria. The order was reportedly given by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.
He added, “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
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