Nigeria, April 24 -- In a major win for intending Hajj pilgrims, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has greenlit cash transactions for the 2025 pilgrimage, ditching its earlier plan to enforce debit card-only payments.

This policy shift follows high-level intervention by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who personally appealed to President Bola Tinubu on behalf of Nigerian pilgrims through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

The CBN had previously mandated the use of ATM cards linked to Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) accounts for all pilgrims - a move that sparked concerns over logistical nightmares and accessibility challenges in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the VP, NAHCON's Commissioner for Polic...