In a bid to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has announced a significant subsidy for those embarking on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage under the auspices of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Each intending pilgrim will receive a subsidy of N500,000, as confirmed by Alhaji Lamin Dan Baffa, the Director General of the Board, during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The decision comes in response to the recent hike in Hajj fares by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), attributed to the fluctuating forex exchange rates.
Dan Baffa emphasised the economic challenges faced by many intending pilgrims and underscored the government’s commitment to alleviating their financial burdens.
Intending pilgrims are urged to settle their outstanding balances before March 28, 2024, in compliance with NAHCON directives. The subsidy will be extended only to those who have already made partial payments to the board, with over 2,900 intending pilgrims having already done so.
Earlier this week, GOVIMA reported that NAHCON announced an increase in Hajj fares by N1,918,032.91, bringing the total to N6,617,032.91. Fresh intending pilgrims are required to pay N8,254,464.74 as the full Hajj fare for this year, as mandated by NAHCON. The subsidy initiative by the Kano State Government aims to alleviate the financial strain on pilgrims amidst these increased costs.
