Part of N90bn hajj subsidy remitted to FG, NAHCON tells reps panel

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said part of the N90 billion subsidy granted to the agency during the 2024 Hajj exercise was remitted back to the federal government.  NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Olarewaju Elegusi, said this while responding to inquiries by the ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating the […]

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said part of the N90 billion subsidy granted to the agency during the 2024 Hajj exercise was remitted back to the federal government. 

NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Olarewaju Elegusi, said this while responding to inquiries by the ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating the agency over the alleged poor handling of the 2024 Hajj despite the N90 billion subsidy granted by the federal government. 

Daily Trust reports that the committee chaired by Rep. Sada Soli had on the first day of its hearing queried NAHCON over the inconsistencies in the disbursement of the subsidy to beneficiaries, saying some got full, others partial while some got nothing.

The NAHCON official who failed to give details of how the subsidy was spent, however, said he was aware some part of the fund was remitted to the federal government. 

Elegusi said, “I am aware of a subsidy of N90bn by the federal government. I did not see the document until the former chairman addressed a press conference and stated how it was disbursed. The money was paid in naira through the Central Bank of Nigeria.” 

He said some part of the subsidy was remitted back to the federal government through the CBN and promised to furnish the committee with the required documents in the next sitting.  

Speaking during the hearing, the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) and other stakeholders said hajj operations in the country should be managed by the private sector.