The Nigerian government has ruled out the appointment of a government delegation for this year’s pilgrimage for Muslin faithful, as a way of cutting cost and balancing government expenditure.

Indications emerged earlier at the weekend from the Hajj Commission that this year’s Hajj would not have a government delegation.

By this decision, the government is expected to save about $1 million and 30 million Naira in local expenses.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said that the government would carry out its duty to Nigerians on the annual pilgrimage by extending to them consular, medical and welfare support as expected of it.

He quoted the President as saying that the decision was for both procedural and economic reasons and not one aimed at any group or individual.

“The states can deal with that (appointment of own delegations) but this year at the centre, we will not be involved,” the President has said.

He reassured the pilgrims that the government would not fail in its obligations to the citizens on pilgrimage in spite of the absence of a government delegation.

Every year the Nigerian government appoints delegates for pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and subsidies the cost for the delegates.