Probe N90bn Hajj Subsidy, NANS Tells Tinubu, N’Assembly

-Wants Funds Redirected To Education

President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly have been urged to probe the management of the N90 billion allocated to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) made the call in a statement co-signed by its Vice President and President of the Senate, Comrades Muhammad Y. Sab and Akinteye Babatunde Afeez respectively.

Speaking on the development, the students’ body noted that the last pilgrimage exercise, which was subsidized by the government, is fraught with irregularities.

This was as they expressed concern over revelations in public regarding the inefficiencies and failures of the 2024 Hajj operations as managed by NAHCON.

NANS also noted that “significant issues, including NAHCON’s overreach in functioning as an operator rather than a regulator, and the mismanagement of the N90 billion subsidy allocated for the Hajj operations has made it imperative.

They said the recent Hajj exercise has been widely criticized as a failure, plagued by substantial logistical issues and inadequate care for pilgrims.

“The fact that pilgrims were given only $400 to sustain themselves for approximately 40 days, despite each pilgrim paying N8 million, highlights the severe mismanagement within NAHCON.

“This misallocation of resources has led to unnecessary hardships for many Nigerian pilgrims and raises serious questions about the operational efficiency and accountability of NAHCON.” The statement reads.

The leadership of NANS called on the Federal Government to critically review and reduce the funding allocated to NAHCON. They also call on the government to consider more beneficial applications of public funds.

“The substantial N90 billion subsidy, which could significantly impact the education sector, has been misused and could have been better spent improving our nation’s educational infrastructure. This amount could cover the Universal Basic Education budget for four years, indicating the scale of potential misallocation.

“We call on the National Assembly to probe the N90 billion subsidy paid for the Hajj operations. There is an urgent need for transparency and accountability in how these funds are managed.

“The current model, where NAHCON acts both as an operator and a regulator, is deeply flawed and needs immediate restructuring. The suggestion to privatize Hajj operations, leaving NAHCON as a regulatory body, should be seriously considered to prevent future inefficiencies.

“We strongly advocate for the reallocation of these funds to the education sector. Increasing lecturers’ salaries is crucial to improving the welfare and morale of our educators, which in turn will enhance the quality of education.

“Furthermore, investment in educational infrastructure is essential to providing a conducive learning environment for our students.

“Additionally, supporting student programs and initiatives through scholarships, grants, and bursaries will ease financial burdens and promote academic excellence.

“By diverting funds from the over-bloated Hajj subsidy to the education sector, the Federal Government can make a profound impact on the future of our nation. Education is the cornerstone of national development, and investing in it ensures a brighter future for all Nigerians.

“We stand ready to support and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure these recommendations are implemented for the betterment of the Nigerian educational system and the overall development of our nation.” The statement concluded.