Nigerians on social media have expressed outrage over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to subsidize sale of forex pilgrims traveling for the hajj..
The CBN had in a recent circular instructed commercial banks to help it sell between $750 and $1000 per person at a subsidized exchange rate of N197. The official exchange rate is currently at about N315/$1.
Nigerians took to twitter to express outrage frustrated that the government was losing money just because it wanted to cater to its religious obligations. Subsidy for religious pilgrims, both for Christians and Muslims on travels
https://twitter.com/Enyi/status/761487265189298176
Are we for real in this country? Like seriously? Abi is this some sick joke? https://t.co/LWKEcTA2kW
— Sam (@DrFeruke) August 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/demola_salami/status/761480608258330624
What stupid country do i live in? https://t.co/qm1ZR8OhFy
— Ziggizi (@z_iggi) August 5, 2016
these bunch of political appointees are the ones spoiling this country not knowing their priorities and onions https://t.co/FmkbaPLBCC
— asomattaz (@asomattaz1) August 5, 2016
CBN to lose N7.6 billion in tax payers money for selling dollars to Hajj pilgrims @N197 https://t.co/gnJnWllWak pic.twitter.com/cTacubvpmC
— Ugodre (@ugodre) August 5, 2016
MUST NIGERIA SUBSIDY HAJJ OPERATION? I BELIEVE HAJJ HAS BEEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL NIGERIANS WHO CAN AFFORD THE RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION. NO RELIGION, INCLUDING CHRISTIAN PILGRIMS SHOULD ENJOY SUBSIDY. OUR ECONOMY PRESENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD IT. LET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEARN TO MANAGE THE LITTLE FOREIGN EXCHANGE WE HAVE WISELY. I REALIZE THE POSITION OF THE PRESIDENCY WITH REGARD TO RELIGION AND IT SENSITIVITY, BUT MUST REALIZE THAT THE ECONOMIC DISPOSITION OF THE NATION IS MORE PARAMOUNT THAN SUBSIDY TO HAJJ!