The Chairman of Kogi State Pilgrims Commission, Sheikh Lukeman Imam-Abdullah, has made a passionate appeal to Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo to subsidize the cost of the 2025 Hajj fee in order to encourage more adherents to perform the religious obligation to the holy land.

Imam-Abdullah made the appeal when speaking to *The Guardian* in his office in Lokoja yesterday.

The Islamic scholar noted that the fee for the 2025 Hajj operations is set at N8.5 million.

“The high cost is due to the steady appreciation of the dollar against the naira. Everything you will use while in Saudi Arabia is calculated in dollars, including the water you use during the period.”

“This appeal has become necessary in view of the economic conditions of Nigerians. Many intending pilgrims may not be able to afford this amount, and as a result, will not be able to perform this critical religious obligation.”

“I therefore make an appeal to our passionate governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to help us reduce a percentage of the Hajj fee to make it possible for more of our people to participate in the holy exercise.”

Sheikh Imam-Abdullah lauded the interventions of Gov Ododo for always supporting and encouraging Muslim pilgrims in the state to perform their sacred religious obligations, saying, “I’m not expecting anything less this time.”