Hajj: Despite N90bn Subsidy, Nigerian Pilgrims Lament Over Poor Meals

Some Nigerians who recently departed for Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj have lamented the quality and quantity of the food they are being served.

They said despite paying over N8 million for the exercise, signs are there to show they might not be treated to good food.

In a picture shared by a Facebook user, Babagana Digima, the pilgrim were said to have been served a small portion of pap and three beans cake on Tuesday morning.

Digima wrote, “After paying N8 million for Hajj, see the breakfast that our pilgrims are being given! Nahcon Nigeria Fatima Mustapha. This is what was given today 28th May 2024. In fact, some pilgrims have already started begging to get money to buy food because even their remaining $300 that was promised to be paid to them in Saudi (out of $500) is not forthcoming from the authorities!”

READ: Hajj: Two Kebbi Pilgrims Die In Mecca

Reacting to the post, a staff of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (Nahcon), Muhammad Ahmad said the Nigerian authorities had begun to probe the issue.

The staff wrote: “NAHCON is right now there at the scene gathering information for proper investigation because NAHCON is fully and totally provides feeding and accommodation in Madinah but in Makkah NAHCON only supervises yet the Commission’s official will leave no stone unturned in revealing the truth of the matter and taking necessary action.”

The NAHCON staff later uploaded what was supposed to be the menu for the day which included; pap, three pieces of beans cake, a table water, tea, and bread.

But another Facebook user with the name Baqeer Mohammed Awwal who is currently performing the Hajj, said they didn’t get the bread.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian government said it had spent the sum of N90 billion to subsidise the cost of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage for citizens.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima revealed this last month at the inauguration of the 2024 National Hajj operation, held at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.

He said, “You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates,” Shettima was quoted as saying by the News Agency of Nigeria.

“President Bola Tinubu also works round the clock to control the downward spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians.

“A move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare. The President approved the release of N90 billion to subsidise the cost of pilgrimage for this year’s hajj.

“Due to this high regard, the government took time to carefully select men of integrity with administrative acumen and records of selfless dedication to manage the affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.

“Government at the highest level monitors all arrangements meant for the well-being of our pilgrims both in Saudi Arabia and within the country before embarking on the journey.

“We are aware of the provision put in place for the safety, security, and comfort of the Nigerian contingent to the 2024 hajj of our pilgrims.”