A social media commentator, Shehu Sadiq, has alleged that Saudi Arabia profits off Nigeria through Hajj in return for Islamic terrorism sponsorship.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, disclosed on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu subsidised the 2024 Hajj with N90 billion.
Shettima stated this when he represented Tinubu to flag off the inaugural airlift of the 2024 pilgrimage exercise from Nigeria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country, urging the intending pilgrims to abide by all rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and urging them to avoid any illicit act capable of affecting the integrity of their Hajj.
“Mr. President has been committed to this year’s Hajj due to the economic situation; he has also contributed the sum of N90 billion to subsidise this year’s Hajj exercise to ensure a smooth and successful exercise.
”You may recall that this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
”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.”
Shettima stated that the Renewed Hope government, under Tinubu’s leadership, places a high value on religious pilgrimage because it can influence believers’ behaviour and social vices beyond the pilgrimage itself.
In reaction to the development, Shehu Sadiq on his X post said, “Saudi Arabia is using Hajj to make money from Nigeria, while all Nigeria is getting from Saudi Arabia is sponsorship of Islamic terrorism.” He added that “Nigeria is a mumu country.”
