The Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals (AHMSP) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately suspend its proposed policy mandating the use of ATM cards for the disbursement of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) to Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj operations.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta, the association expressed deep concern over the potential impact of the policy on the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims, many of whom are unfamiliar with electronic banking systems.
“The Hajj ecosystem in the country has for the past few days now been dominated with discourses surrounding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) insistence to introduce the use of ATM card in place of physical cash as BTA (Basic Traveling Allowance) during the forthcoming hajj operation, for the year 2025,” the statement noted.
The association highlighted that stakeholders and Hajj experts have raised alarms over the feasibility and timing of the policy, which they believe could severely disrupt the smooth coordination and logistics planned by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“Indeed, many hajj experts have openly and categorically expressed fears over this new policy, arguing that it may jeopardize and imperil the excellent arrangements already put in place by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure a hitch-free and seamless hajj operation, adding that the vast majority of Nigeria’s pilgrims are not conversant with even the normal basic banking system right here in Nigeria let alone in Saudi Arabia where many countries will participate in the august hajj gathering,” the statement added.
The hajj media professionals group emphasized that the policy, if implemented, could lead to severe challenges for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, ranging from technical failures and ATM incompatibilities to a potential lack of support and assistance for stranded pilgrims.
“The Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals therefore wishes to join hands with other well-meaning and patriotic citizens of Nigeria to implore for the prompt intervention of the National Assembly, Governors Forum and our royal fathers to throw their weight behind the concerns raised by Nigerians. Should our innocent pilgrims be stranded in the holy land courtesy of the new policy?”, the association said.
Another major concern raised by the association is the potential economic consequence of enforcing a cashless BTA policy at a time when the value of the naira continues to fluctuate in the parallel market. Pilgrims, the association warned, may receive reduced value from the promised $500 BTA.
“Cross sections of Nigerians are apprehensive that if CBN goes ahead to enforce this new policy on Nigerian pilgrims, no doubt it will make nonsense of the efforts made earlier by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in controlling this year’s hajj fare. The value of the Five Hundred Dollars (BTA) promised to pilgrims will be further bastardized,” the statement read.
The association also urged State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies to lead efforts in persuading the CBN to reverse the decision.
“States pilgrims boards and agencies should be at the vanguard of this struggle by doing everything humanly possible to convince CBN through their respective states governors because they might be the ones to bear the brunt more, as NAHCON’s role is only supervisory,” it stated.
“We respectfully request the Central Bank of Nigeria to reconsider this policy for the 2025 Hajj and maintain the use of physical cash for BTA to protect the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims and safeguard the integrity of our national image abroad.”
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