Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has approved a minimum initial deposit of N6.5 million from state pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
Muhammad Yunusa, the Information Officer of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, announced this in a news statement published on Tuesday.
The message indicated that “the collection will begin on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.”
“The board has no choice but to fix this figure in light of the expense of the 2024 hajj fee, which totalled more than eight million naira due to the naira’s devaluation against the dollar.
“Imam Abdurrahman advised the aspiring pilgrims to pay above the minimum, from N6.5M to N8M, in order to facilitate their ability to settle the final fare upon announcement by the Nigerian National Hajj Commissioner, NAHCON.
“He emphasised that all payments must be made through bank tellers and that cash payments will not be accepted by the board.
According to the statement, “the pay point has been transferred to Jaiz Bank for the Board’s pilgrims (Bs1), and those who are willing to perform hajj through local governments should collect a customised hajj bank teller from the Hajj affairs officer at the local government secretariat to pay the deposit.”
“The intending pilgrims are therefore requested to enrol themselves under Hajj Saving Scheme HSS at the Jaiz Bank.”
In Essence
The significant increase in the Hajj deposit from previous years to the current N6.5 million minimum will likely affect the ability of many intending pilgrims to afford the pilgrimage. This could potentially limit participation, particularly among lower-income individuals.
The increase is directly tied to the fluctuating exchange rate, as the naira continues to lose value against the dollar.
The devaluation means higher costs for airfare, accommodation, and other logistics, all of which are priced in foreign currency
