A civil society organisation, Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged him to intervene in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) directive mandating the use of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards for the disbursement of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) to pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj.
In a petition dated January 17, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the group warned that the policy could expose Nigerian pilgrims to unnecessary hardship, especially those from rural communities with limited access to electronic banking services.
According to the organisation, about 70 per cent of Nigerian pilgrims reside in rural areas where digital banking infrastructure is weak, making it difficult for them to effectively use ATM cards abroad. It also cited language barriers in Saudi Arabia and possible transaction failures as major risks that could lead to financial losses.
“The policy poses significant risks to our pilgrims, many of whom come from rural communities with limited electronic banking access,” the group stated in the letter.
Independent Hajj Reporters called for the immediate suspension of the ATM-only policy for the 2026 Hajj exercise and urged the reinstatement of full cash disbursement through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The group also recommended the convening of relevant stakeholders to develop more pilgrim-friendly reforms.
It further argued that the policy contradicts the principle of ease in religious obligations and could undermine the dignity of pilgrims if left unreviewed.
The organisation expressed confidence that President Tinubu would act in the best interest of Nigerian pilgrims and national welfare, urging him to give urgent attention to the matter in order to safeguard Nigeria’s reputation within the global Muslim community.
