CSO writes Tinubu on Hajj travel allowance

ATM-only directive draws concern ahead of 2026 pilgrimage

Civil society flags potential hardship for pilgrims under new policy

By Abdullahi Yusuf

A Nigerian civil society organisation has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in a Central Bank of Nigeria policy that mandates the use of automated teller machine cards for the disbursement of basic travel allowances to pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj.

The Independent Hajj Reporters, a group that monitors pilgrimage operations, said in a petition to the president that the policy could expose thousands of Nigerian pilgrims to hardship, particularly those from rural communities with limited access to electronic banking services.

In a letter dated Jan. 17, 2026, and signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the organisation warned that about 70 percent of Nigerian pilgrims come from rural areas where access to digital financial services remains limited.

“The policy poses significant risks to our pilgrims, many of whom come from rural communities with limited electronic banking access,” the group said in the letter.

Under the directive issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, pilgrims would receive their Basic Travel Allowance exclusively through ATM cards rather than in cash. The allowance is intended to cover basic personal expenses during the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The group said the policy could create additional challenges once pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia, citing language barriers, unfamiliarity with electronic payment systems and the risk of transaction failures that could leave pilgrims without access to funds.

Independent Hajj Reporters called for the suspension of the ATM-only disbursement policy for the 2026 Hajj and urged the government to reinstate full cash disbursement through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, known as NAHCON. It also called for a stakeholders’ meeting involving regulators, pilgrimage managers and civil society groups to design what it described as pilgrim-centred reforms.

Beyond logistical concerns, the organisation argued that the policy runs counter to the Islamic principle of ease in religious obligations and could undermine the dignity of pilgrims if not reviewed.

The group said it believes presidential intervention is necessary to prevent financial hardship and protect Nigeria’s reputation within the global Muslim community, expressing confidence that the administration would act in the national interest.

Nigerian authorities have been pushing for wider adoption of cashless transactions as part of broader financial reforms, though critics say the pace of implementation has not always reflected the realities of rural populations.

The presidency and the Central Bank of Nigeria did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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