Melaye slams FG pilgrimage spending, demands funds for roads, hospitals
Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has criticised the Federal Government for spending hundreds of billions of naira annually sponsoring Nigerians on Hajj to Mecca and Christian pilgrimages to Israel, arguing the money should fix roads, hospitals, education and industry instead.
Speaking in a social media interview today, Melaye said religious institutions and wealthy individuals—not taxpayers—should fund spiritual journeys. "There's no hadith in the Quran, no chapter of the Bible that says if you did not go to Mecca or Israel for pilgrimage, you will not make heaven," he stated. He added that government has no business with religion, citing the United Nations' success without opening or closing prayers.
Melaye made a controversial remark about Jerusalem, claiming "even there's ashawo joint close to Mount Sinai" to question pilgrims' sincerity. He maintained his spirituality is personal and urged the FG to reprioritise spending toward economic growth, technology, education and small-scale industries.
The former senator's comments reignite debate over the ₦90 billion budgeted for Hajj operations in 2024 and similar allocations for Christian pilgrimages. Critics argue the funds are negligible compared to infrastructure deficits; supporters say pilgrimage sponsorship fulfills constitutional obligations to religious freedom.
With Nigeria's roads, hospitals and power sector in crisis, should public funds subsidise religious travel or go entirely to tangible development? How would you allocate those billions?