• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

      EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria Customs Takes Anti-Money Laundering Fight to the Skies

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria Customs, ICPC and the Audit of Conscience

      Customs Diplomacy: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Ink Mutual Assistance Deal

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria, Belarus Forge Alliance to Combat Smuggling, Facilitate Trade

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Tinubu Hails Customs Boss Wale Adeniyi on Historic Election as WCO…

  • National
    • ASUU

      “No Pay, No Work”: ASUU Orders Members to Commence Nationwide Strike

      Nigerian Navy's newest landing ship tank launched in Sharjah, UAE.

      From Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as…

      Police Officer

      Police Bust Kidnapping, Cult Gangs, Arrest 8 Suspects, Recover Weapons

      Shittu Yunus Shittu

      Can Nigeria Lead Africa’s AI Revolution? By Shittu Yunus Shittu

      162 years of the Nigerian Army celebrations

      The First Shot and the Long March: Reflections on 162 Years…

    • Government
      • ASUU

        “No Pay, No Work”: ASUU Orders Members to Commence Nationwide Strike

        NPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting…

        At BRICS Summits, Tinubu Pushes for Equality in Global Finance, Health…

        Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike

        Soldiers

        Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State

  • Security
    • Nigerian Navy's newest landing ship tank launched in Sharjah, UAE.

      From Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as…

      NPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting…

      Police Officer

      Police Bust Kidnapping, Cult Gangs, Arrest 8 Suspects, Recover Weapons

      NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Seizes 345kg of Drugs, Arrests 37 Suspects…

      NAF Airstrikes, NAF Air, NAF jets

      Scores of Terrorists Eliminated as NAF Bombs Boko Haram Camps in…

  • Features
    • Nigerian Navy's newest landing ship tank launched in Sharjah, UAE.

      From Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as…

      What Life Really Looks Like for Nigerians Battling Sickle Cell, By…

      Shittu Yunus Shittu

      Can Nigeria Lead Africa’s AI Revolution? By Shittu Yunus Shittu

      162 years of the Nigerian Army celebrations

      The First Shot and the Long March: Reflections on 162 Years…

      From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition…

  • State
    • NPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting…

      NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Seizes 345kg of Drugs, Arrests 37 Suspects…

      NAF Airstrikes, NAF Air, NAF jets

      Scores of Terrorists Eliminated as NAF Bombs Boko Haram Camps in…

      Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

      Troops Foil Coordinated Bandits Attacks, Rescue Kidnap Victims in Katsina

      The suspected notorious Militia member

      Troops Nab Notorious Militia, Recover Weapons in Plateau State

  • Event
    • Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo

      47 Years of Excellence: Honoring Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN

      NCoS inmates

      58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to…

      Troops of the Nigerian Army giving a salute

      162nd Anniversary: Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Army, Hails Troops as Guardians of…

      President & Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Lauds Nigerian PR Firms for Outstanding Performances at 2025 SABRE…

      SCN NGO signs partnership with PRNIGERIA

      SCN NGO Seals Partnership with PRNigeria to Amplify its Humanitarian Projects

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Event Relief for Pilgrims as CBN Approves Cash-Based BTA for 2025 Hajj Exercise
  • Event
  • Government
  • National

Relief for Pilgrims as CBN Approves Cash-Based BTA for 2025 Hajj Exercise

By
Prnigeria
-
April 24, 2025
Hajj Exercise Around Ka'abah
Hajj Exercise Around Ka'abah

Relief for Pilgrims as CBN Approves Cash-Based BTA for 2025 Hajj Exercise 

In a major shift from its earlier policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the disbursement of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) in cash to Nigerian pilgrims embarking on the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

This decision comes after Vice-President Kashim Shettima intervened on behalf of over 40,000 intending pilgrims, following appeals from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The initial policy had proposed a card-only payment system for pilgrims, raising widespread concern due to the limited availability of ATMs near holy sites and the low digital literacy of many pilgrims.

Speaking to journalists after a crucial meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Aliu Abdulrazaq, described the outcome as a “landmark achievement” that would ease financial transactions for Nigerian pilgrims during the Hajj.

“We’ve had several meetings on this matter. The vice-president stepped in and appealed directly to the CBN. As a result, the bank agreed to drop the card-only policy and approved the use of cash for the 2025 Hajj,” Abdulrazaq stated.

Read Also:

  • “No Pay, No Work”: ASUU Orders Members to Commence Nationwide Strike
  • From Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as a Force for National and Continental Stability By Musa Ilallah
  • NPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting in Algeria

He explained that the change was necessary because most Nigerian pilgrims are rural dwellers with limited access to or understanding of electronic banking systems. “In Mecca, especially around the ritual sites, there is only one ATM and it’s always congested. That’s a big issue for our pilgrims,” he said.

NAHCON Secretary Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali clarified that the cash-based system should not be mistaken for a government subsidy or financial concession. “This is not a handout. It’s simply a more practical mode of payment. Pilgrims can now carry cash and transact freely, especially in places where card usage is impractical,” he said.

Backing this position, CBN Board member and Director of Human Resources, Abba Muhammad Aliyu, said the bank’s decision was driven by compassion and realism. “The financial literacy level of many pilgrims informed our decision. We realized that insisting on debit cards could create unnecessary hardship,” Aliyu noted.

Earlier this year, the CBN had proposed a digital-only system, requiring all intending pilgrims to open BTA-linked bank accounts and use ATM cards during their stay in Saudi Arabia. However, the system faced criticism for its potential to complicate pilgrims’ experiences, especially for those unfamiliar with digital banking tools.

With this latest decision, NAHCON expressed renewed confidence in the seamless execution of the 2025 Hajj operations, noting that all other logistical arrangements remain on track.

By PRNigeria

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Basic Travel Allowance
  • Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
  • Hajj exercise.
  • National Hajj Commission of Nigeria
Previous articleRice Smuggling Tops Customs’ Seizure List in Q1 – CG Adeniyi
Next articleImo Police Foil Child Trafficking Attempt, Nab 2 Women for Trying to Sell Abducted Minor
Prnigeria
Prnigeria

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

ASUU

“No Pay, No Work”: ASUU Orders Members to Commence Nationwide Strike

Nigerian Navy's newest landing ship tank launched in Sharjah, UAE.

From Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as a Force for National and Continental Stability By Musa Ilallah

NPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting in Algeria

Police Officer

Police Bust Kidnapping, Cult Gangs, Arrest 8 Suspects, Recover Weapons

At BRICS Summits, Tinubu Pushes for Equality in Global Finance, Health Systems

Shittu Yunus Shittu

Can Nigeria Lead Africa’s AI Revolution? By Shittu Yunus Shittu

162 years of the Nigerian Army celebrations

The First Shot and the Long March: Reflections on 162 Years of the Nigerian Army By Olayemi Esan

Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo

47 Years of Excellence: Honoring Asiwaju Awomolo, SAN

NCoS inmates

58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to State Government

Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike

Soldiers

Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State

Police Arrest 43 Illegal Immigrants, Human Traffickers, Rescue Victim

Recent Posts

  • “No Pay, No Work”: ASUU Orders Members to Commence Nationwide Strike
  • From Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as a Force for National and Continental Stability By Musa Ilallah
  • NPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting in Algeria
  • Nigeria Customs Takes Anti-Money Laundering Fight to the Skies
  • What Life Really Looks Like for Nigerians Battling Sickle Cell, By Hafsat Ibrahim
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
"No Pay, No Work": ASUU Orders Members to Commence Nationwide StrikeFrom Lake Chad to the Atlantic: The Nigerian Navy’s Rise as a Force for National and Continental Stability By Musa IlallahNPF Champions Regional Security Collaboration as IGP Attends 13th AFRIPOL Meeting in AlgeriaNigeria Customs Takes Anti-Money Laundering Fight to the SkiesWhat Life Really Looks Like for Nigerians Battling Sickle Cell, By Hafsat IbrahimPolice Bust Kidnapping, Cult Gangs, Arrest 8 Suspects, Recover WeaponsNDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farms, Seizes 345kg of Drugs, Arrests 37 Suspects in EdoGroup Condemns Amaechi’s Comment as Inciteful, DangerousScores of Terrorists Eliminated as NAF Bombs Boko Haram Camps in Mandara MountainsTroops Foil Coordinated Bandits Attacks, Rescue Kidnap Victims in KatsinaNAF Airstrikes Crush Terrorist Camps in Mandara Mountains, Kill Senior JAS FightersAt BRICS Summits, Tinubu Pushes for Equality in Global Finance, Health SystemsTroops Nab Notorious Militia, Recover Weapons in Plateau StateCan Nigeria Lead Africa’s AI Revolution? By Shittu Yunus ShittuTinubu to Troops: You Have My Full Backing to Crush Terrorists, Separatists
X whatsapp