Jaiz Bank Earmarks N10bn To Ease Hajj Operation in Nigeria
By Patience Ikpeme
Jaiz Bank Plc, has allocated N10 billion to support Nigerian tour operators in facilitating seamless Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages
This initiative was revealed by the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Haruna Musa, Ph.D, during the 2nd National Hajj Stakeholders Summit held in Abuja.
Haruna Musa emphasized the bank’s ongoing dedication to supporting pilgrims in meeting their Hajj obligations. He highlighted that Jaiz Bank would continue to provide funds to ease Hajj and Umrah operations, ensuring that pilgrims have the necessary financial backing.
The CEO also praised the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for partnering with Jaiz Bank in the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS), which helps pilgrims save progressively towards their pilgrimage. He assured that the bank would enhance the value of pilgrims’ savings through this scheme.
A key feature of Jaiz Bank’s support is its policy to collect Hadaya payments in the local currency, the Naira, which aims to reduce the financial burden on pilgrims. This move was commended by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who noted that paying Hadaya in Naira would ease the pilgrims’ affairs in the holy land. Shettima, represented by his aide Alhaji Bashir Maidugu, also urged stakeholders to work towards reducing the overall Hajj fare for Nigerian pilgrims.
The National Hajj Commission Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, reaffirmed the commission’s support for sustaining Hajj financing in Nigeria. This collaboration between Jaiz Bank, NAHCON, and government officials reflects a concerted effort to make the pilgrimage more accessible and financially manageable for Nigerian Muslims. The Hajj Savings Scheme, established on Islamic finance principles, allows pilgrims to save conveniently over time, regardless of income or status.
