The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has faulted alleged mismanagement by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) during the 2024 Hajj.
NANS, in a statement jointly signed by the NANS National Vice President, Muhammad Sabo; and Senate President, Akinteye Afeez, and made available to Tribune Online on Tuesday, expressed its concern over what he described as inefficiencies in the 2024 hajj.
NANS questioned the alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion subsidy allocated for the 2024 Hajj operations.
The group called on the Federal Government to critically review and reduce the funding allocated to NAHCON and as well reallocate part of the funds to the education sector.
“We express profound concern over the recent revelations regarding the inefficiencies and failures of the 2024 Hajj operations as managed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“We noticed significant issues, including NAHCON’s overreach in functioning as an operator rather than a regulator, and the mismanagement of the N90 billion subsidy allocated for the Hajj operations.
“The recent Hajj exercise has been widely criticized as a failure, plagued by substantial logistical issues and inadequate care for pilgrims. The fact that pilgrims were given only $400 to sustain themselves for approximately 40 days, despite each pilgrim paying N8 million, highlights the severe mismanagement within NAHCON. This misallocation of resources has led to unnecessary hardships for many Nigerian pilgrims and raises serious questions about the operational efficiency and accountability of NAHCON.
“We call on the Federal Government to critically review and reduce the funding allocated to NAHCON. The substantial N90 billion subsidy, which could significantly impact the education sector, has been misused and could have been better spent improving our nation’s educational infrastructure. This amount could cover the Universal Basic Education budget for four years, indicating the scale of potential misallocation.
“We call on the National Assembly to probe the N90 billion subsidy paid for the Hajj operations. There is an urgent need for transparency and accountability in how these funds are managed. The current model, where NAHCON acts both as an operator and a regulator, is deeply flawed and needs immediate restructuring. The suggestion to privatize Hajj operations, leaving NAHCON as a regulatory body, should be seriously considered to prevent future inefficiencies.
“We strongly advocate for the reallocation of these funds to the education sector. Increasing lecturers’ salaries is crucial to improving the welfare and morale of our educators, which in turn will enhance the quality of education. Furthermore, investment in educational infrastructure is essential to providing a conducive learning environment for our students. Additionally, supporting student programs and initiatives through scholarships, grants, and bursaries will ease financial burdens and promote academic excellence.
“By diverting funds from the over-bloated Hajj subsidy to the education sector, the Federal Government can make a profound impact on the future of our nation. Education is the cornerstone of national development, and investing in it ensures a brighter future for all Nigerians. We stand ready to support and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure these recommendations are implemented for the betterment of the Nigerian educational system and the overall development of our nation”, the statement reads.
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