By IBRAHIM ABUBAKAR NAGARTA

The Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend its proposed plan to replace physical cash with ATM cards for the disbursement of Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) during the 2025 Hajj.

The group expressed serious concerns over the potential negative impact of the policy, warning that it could jeopardize the success of the upcoming pilgrimage and put Nigerian pilgrims at risk in Saudi Arabia. According to the association, the majority of pilgrims, especially the elderly and those from rural areas, are not familiar with digital banking or the use of ATM cards, even within Nigeria ? let alone in a foreign country.

?This policy, if implemented, could lead to confusion and hardship for our pilgrims. Many are not equipped to handle card transactions abroad, and we risk embarrassing ourselves as a nation should any pilgrim find themselves stranded in the holy land,? said the association?s chairman, Ibrahim Abubakar Nagarta.

The group in a statement issued on Monday called on the National Assembly, the Nigerian Governors? Forum, and traditional rulers to urgently intervene and persuade the CBN to reconsider its stance. It also urged State Pilgrims Welfare Boards to take the lead in lobbying against the policy through their respective state governments.

Stakeholders also fear that enforcing this ATM card policy could worsen the already delicate issue of Hajj costs. With NAHCON?s effort to keep the 2025 Hajj fare stable, many believe that the proposed $500 BTA ?already weakened by the naira?s performance against the dollar ? could become even more inaccessible and less valuable through a card-based system.

?NAHCON has made commendable efforts to cushion the financial burden on pilgrims this year. Introducing a policy like this at the last minute could unravel those gains,? Nagarta added.

The Association of Hajj Media Support Professionals is the latest in a growing number of voices urging a policy review, emphasizing that the welfare and dignity of pilgrims must come before financial or regulatory experiments.

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