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Hajj Tax: Govt Will Make About N5.4bn From 2026 Pilgrim

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The federal government is expected to make about N5.4bn from Nigerian pilgrims taking part in the 2026 Hajj through a compulsory service charge, a new report has said.

The figure was released by the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society group that monitors transparency in Hajj operations.

The group disclosed this in a statement issued by its national coordinator and shared with journalists over the weekend.

According to the report, the 2026 Hajj fare requires every pilgrim to pay a 2 per cent service charge directly to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

IHR explained that with the official Hajj fare fixed at about N7.6 million per pilgrim, the levy comes to roughly N136,417 for each person.

It said, “With the official Hajj fare set at roughly N7.6 million per person, the mandatory levy translates to about N136,417 per pilgrim.”

Based on Nigeria’s allocation of 40,000 pilgrims, the group estimated that the total amount going to the CBN would be between N5.3bn and N5.4bnn.

The group added that in dollar terms, each pilgrim pays $92.46, bringing the total to around $3.7m. It noted that this is higher than the $90 charged during the 2025 Hajj.

IHR said, “Based on an allocation of 40,000 pilgrims to the various states, the total revenue accruing to the CBN is estimated to reach between N5.3bn and N5.4bn.”

It further stated, “In U.S. currency, the charge amounts to $92.46 per person, totalling approximately $3.7m

“This figure marks an increase from the $90 fee charged during the 2025 Hajj season.”

The organisation explained that the fee is mainly linked to transferring funds to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) foreign bank account in Saudi Arabia.

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Breaking: Nigerian Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage, FG Faces Fresh Salary Pressure

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The Federal Workers Forum, FWF, has demanded an immediate increase in the federal minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000, noting that the current salary structure can no longer sustain civil servants amid Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

The Forum made the demand in a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly, with the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation listed among the recipients.

The workers also proposed a new salary structure that would place the highest-paid Level 17 officer on a monthly salary of N1.5 million, while Level 1 Step 1 workers would earn N300,000.

“We call for justice and immediate wage review now, adjust the federal minimum wage to N300,000 and a maximum wage of N1.5m for the Level 17 officers,” the Forum said.
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The FWF argued that the Federal Government had not fully implemented the 2024 minimum wage agreement, claiming that federal workers had yet to receive the full consequential adjustment and associated allowances.

“It will surprise you to hear that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the new national minimum wage since July 2024. We have been in the battle for full consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage,” it said.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in August 2026, demanded an upward review of the minimum wage to N500,000.

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu’s government increased the minimum wage to N70,000 per month from N30,000.

However, the cost of living for many Nigerians has tripled between 2024 and 2026.
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BREAKING NEWS: ‘No Support For Military Coup in Niger’ – FG

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The Federal Government has said Nigeria will never support a military coup or any unconstitutional change of government, following claims that the country backed a failed coup attempt in the Niger Republic.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, made this known in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, the claims circulating on social media are baseless and misleading.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria remained committed to democracy, constitutional rule and political stability in West Africa and would not support any attempt to remove a government through unconstitutional means.
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“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” he said.

The minister also rejected claims that Nigeria, through its membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), supported or endorsed the military takeover in Niger.

He said the Federal Government had already stated its position on the situation in Niger in an earlier statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 30, 2026.

According to him, Nigeria remains deeply concerned about developments in Niger and wants the country to return peacefully to stability and constitutional order.

Enikanolaiye said Nigeria’s close historical, cultural and fraternal ties with Niger made peace and stability in the neighbouring country particularly important.

“Nigerians at home and abroad should disregard the videos and narratives circulating online, they are intended to create confusion and tarnish Nigeria’s image,” the statement said.
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