The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has urged the National Assembly to investigate the N90 billion allocated for the 2024 Hajj subsidy operation. In a statement, Governor Bago criticized the National Hajj Commission’s performance, labeling it as a “failure”. He questioned the effectiveness of the N90 billion subsidy, highlighting the meager $400 given to pilgrims for a 40-day trip, despite each pilgrim paying N8 million.
Governor Bago suggested that the N90 billion could have had a more significant impact if distributed to states, comparing it to a four-year Universal Basic Education budget. He also expressed concern over NAHCON’s role, proposing a review of the organization’s law.
Additionally, Governor Bago reported the loss of six pilgrims from Niger State during the Hajj, attributing two deaths to medical issues and four to a heatwave affecting over 1000 pilgrims. He advocated for the private sector to manage Hajj operations, emphasizing the need for NAHCON to function solely as a regulatory body.