Bashir El-Rufai, the son of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that the government should have no business subsidising religious pilgrimages. 

Some civil society groups have urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in Nigeria’s preparation for the 2024 Hajj by subsidising the fare for pilgrims after the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, announced an increment in the 2024 Hajj fare. 

Subsequently, Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, approved a subsidy of N500,000 each for 2,096 intending Muslim pilgrims from the state for the 2024 Hajj exercise.

Reacting, El-Rufai said subsidising religious pilgrimages shouldn’t be a priority for any government, especially considering the current economic situation in the country.

Bashir El-Rufai wrote on his X handle: “Governments should have no business subsidising religious pilgrimages sha. Especially not in this current economic climate.”