By Zainab Imam
In a pivotal move for Nigerian pilgrims preparing for the 2025 Hajj, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has confirmed the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) approval to grant cash transactions for the holy pilgrimage to Mecca. This announcement, made through his official Facebook post, follows a crucial meeting at my office with teams from the CBN and the National Hajj Commission.
The meeting addressed widespread concerns over the CBN's earlier proposal, which mandated that all pilgrims use debit cards linked to a Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) account. This system raised alarms about potential disruptions to the smooth operations of the pilgrimage.
Earlier this year, the CBN introduced a revised payment method, requiring all pilgrims to open a BTA-linked account for use during their stay in Saudi Arabia. However, the new policy faced significant backlash, with fears that it could complicate the experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
Following our intervention, and with Vice President Shettima's strong support, the decision was made to provide pilgrims with their allowances in cash, ensuring ease and continuity in the Hajj process. This decision will undoubtedly ease the concerns of pilgrims and organizers alike, providing a more efficient and reliable solution as Nigeria prepares for one of its largest religious gatherings.