Nigeria, March 26 -- A group, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in Nigeria's preparation for the 2024 Hajj by subsidising the fare for pilgrims.

The group made the call, in a statement by Ibrahim Mohammed, on Monday, following the increment in the fare to the holy land.

It said Nigeria risks failing to fill its 95,000 slots if the president fails to act.

The call for intervention is coming on the heels of the announced increment in the 2024 hajj fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

On Sunday, NAHCON announced an increase in the pilgrimage rate, attributing it to the depreciation of the Naira against the US dollar.

The commission instructed intending pilgrims wh...