Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has approved a subsidy covering 50% of the additional increment in the 2024 Hajj fare for intending pilgrims from the state. This subsidy amounts to ₦959,000 for each of the 1,652 intending pilgrims, totaling ₦2.5 billion.
The state Commissioner for Religion Affairs and Community Orientation, Alhaji Yakubu Hamza, made this announcement while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Bauchi. He clarified that the subsidy applies to all intending pilgrims, including those who have already paid the increment, those yet to commit, and those awarded a Hajj slot by the state government.
The Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Imam Abdulrahman Idris, explained that intending pilgrims who have registered and paid the initial deposit of N4.7 million and N4.5 million will now deposit ₦959,000 out of the N1.9 million increase.
The National Hajj Commission had increased the fare for the 2024 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia by N1,918,032.91, attributing the increase to the foreign exchange crisis in the country. The deadline for intending pilgrims to make their payments was set for March 28, 2024.
Initially pegged at N4.9 million, the commission now requires those who have paid the initial amount to add a balance of N1.9 million, raising the total fare to N6.8 million.