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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.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, speaks on the role and importance of teachers in the world to celebrate Teachers’ Day today.
He spoke on technology and its advancement and shared that while it is going well, teachers can never be replaced.
“These tools can help teachers reach learners and tailor instruction, but the judgement, encouragement and human connection of a skilled teacher remain indispensable,” he said.
“Every doctor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur and public servant has benefited from a teacher and could not have become what they are today without teachers,” the minister said.
“When we honour teachers, we honour the people who make every other profession possible.”
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