2025 Hajj: CBN backtracks, approves cash-based BTA for pilgrims
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has withdrawn its earlier decision to issue Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia dollar denominated ATM cards for use while in the holy land.
The decision had drawn criticisms from Muslims, accusing the CBN of deliberately working to put the pilgrims in jeopardy because of the limited number of ATMs in the Holy cities of Makkah and Madina, and the absence of POS outlets like Nigeria.
The CBN has however bowed to pressure and agreed to return to the normal format of allocating Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in cash to the pilgrims at market rate.
Addressing newsmen after a meeting with Vice-President Kashim Shettima, an official of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Aliu Abdulrazaq, confirmed that the CBN has withdrawn the debit cards.
”The idea of a card for pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj has been dropped,” AbdulRazaq, the NAHCON Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance said.
“This is a landmark achievement for NAHCON. If you go to Saudi Arabia, mostly in the areas where the pilgrims are going to perform their rituals, there is only one Automated Teller Machine there, and it is always crowded and poses so many difficulties for pilgrims to purchase whatever they want to purchase.”
“But now we are confident that the Hajj operations will be very seamless for the pilgrims, as all arrangements are in top gear; even the BTA that was our fear has now been addressed.”
Similarly, the NAHCON’s Secretary, Dr Mustapha Ali, clarified that the change was neither a concession nor a subsidy from the Federal Government.
”There is a need for clarification. It is not a concession or intervention by the federal government. It is not a subsidy either.
”The vice president intervened because most of the pilgrims make purchases in the streets of Mecca or Medina, and they do not need debit cards to make their purchases.
“Now it is allowed for them to carry cash. The CBN will provide the cash at the market rate,” he said.
In the same vein, Malam Abba Aliyu, Director of Human Resources, CBN, and Board member representing the CBN in NAHCON, explained that the apex bank intervention was in the interest and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.
The Syndicate reports that the transportation of over 43,000 pilgrims from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia will commence on May 9, 2025.
