The Federal Government has called for a new financing model for hajj pilgrimage to enable more Nigerians have access to the spiritual journey.
Speaking during the second National Hajj Stakeholders’ summit on Wednesday in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima said this is pertinent with the increasing costs associated with Hajj coupled with economic fluctuations and global uncertainties.
He added that Nigeria has valuable lessons to learn from countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said, “It is imperative that we establish a system that ensures affordability for pilgrims while maintaining the integrity and quality of service.
- 2027: Only A Strong Northern Candidate Can Unseat Tinubu – Dele Momodu
- SPOTTED: Top Nigerian judge’s envelop used for selling shawarma in Chad
“Malaysia’s Tabung Hajj, which was established about 62 years ago, has been a beacon of success in the organisation of Hajj and Hajj fund management. It provides Malaysian Muslims and interested non-Muslims with a Sharia-compliant service platform, facilitating Hajj journeys while investing funds in profitable ventures. This model has not only ensured financial sustainability but also contributed to national economic development.
“Similarly, Indonesia’s Hajj funds management authority established just eight years ago in 2017 has demonstrated exemplary management of Hajj funds. Despite global economic challenges, it was able to aggregate funds and yield returns of 10 to 11 billion dollars, enabling a 59 percent subsidy for pilgrims who recently paid $2,611 dollars against the actual cost of $6,411 dollars.”
He said the models exemplified the potential of strategic fund management in achieving both financial sustainability and enhanced pilgrim service.
“It is in alignment with these global best practises that in the year 2020, NAHCON rolled out its Hajj savings scheme (HSS) as provided for in its establishment act. This scheme is designed to provide Nigerian Muslims with a structured Sharia-compliant savings platform for Hajj.
“By funding resources, the HSS aims to invest in secure ventures, generate returns and can subsidise Hajj costs and improve service delivery. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my sincere hope that this summit will generate novel ideas to leverage on and make Hajj in Nigeria truly self-sustaining and significant in contributing to Nigeria’s economy.
“I implore all stakeholders in the Hajj industry, safe pilgrims’ welfare boards, financial institutions, religious leaders and scholars, as well as professionals in the Islamic economics and finance sector, to develop working models for our Hajj savings scheme and leapfrog into one of the best, if not the best, Hajj finance systems in the world.”
On his part, the Chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said the summit provided a crucial platform for key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, to collectively examine and address matters vital to the sustainable future of Hajj operations in Nigeria.
He said the Hajj industry faced increasing pressures, from fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising service costs to evolving regulatory landscapes.
“These challenges have made the pilgrimage increasingly expensive for our Nigerian brothers and sisters. Therefore, developing resilient and sustainable financial models is no longer an option but a necessity to guarantee affordability, efficiency and integrity in Hajj operations,” he added.
Â
