NAHCON Secures CBN Approval for 2026 Hajj Cash PTA

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has received approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for cash Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj. This approval follows high-level engagements led by NAHCON's Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, to address concerns from intending pilgrims regarding the feasibility of an immediate switch to a card-based payment system.

The CBN's approval is strictly limited to the 2026 Hajj exercise, while reaffirming its commitment to modernizing the financial system towards a fully digital card-based PTA framework for the 2027 Hajj operations. NAHCON plans to aggressively sensitize pilgrims about electronic payment channels ahead of the transition.

Concerns were raised regarding digital literacy, especially among elderly pilgrims, who fear potential issues such as card loss and lack of technical support during peak pilgrimage periods. Financial analysts view the CBN's decision as a tactical adjustment rather than a policy retreat, emphasizing the need for a multi-layered strategy, including public enlightenment campaigns and pilot schemes to familiarize pilgrims with card usage.