The Federal Government has prioritised religious pilgrimages over nuclear energy and climate concerns in its 2026 budget, despite intensifying global environmental pressures and the growing importance of energy security.
Budget documents show that a total of ₦11.5bn has been earmarked for Nigeria’s two major pilgrimage agencies, while only ₦4.6bn has been allocated to nuclear energy and climate-related institutions combined.
The allocation covers the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem amid rising operational costs.
NAHCON received the larger share of the pilgrimage budget, with ₦5,995,815,647 allocated for the 2026 fiscal year. A breakdown of the figures shows that ₦3.5bn will be spent on the Hajj Support Programme, which handles core pilgrimage logistics such as coordination with Saudi authorities, accommodation, transportation, and pilgrim welfare.
Beyond pilgrimage activities, the commission plans to invest heavily in infrastructure and operations. The budget sets aside ₦105m for the renovation of its headquarters and another ₦105m for the rehabilitation of Hajj camps and replacement of ageing equipment. An additional ₦70m has been approved for the purchase of new official vehicles to improve mobility during peak pilgrimage operations.
Personnel-related expenses also account for a significant portion of NAHCON’s budget. Personnel costs stand at ₦1,105,949,719, while ₦190m has been allocated for staff welfare. The commission has also earmarked ₦50m for local training programmes aimed at enhancing staff capacity in line with evolving international pilgrimage standards.
The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission secured a total allocation of ₦5,571,400,737 for 2026. Similar to NAHCON, the NCPC has dedicated ₦3.5bn to its core Christian Pilgrimage Programme, covering travel, logistics, and coordination for pilgrims visiting Jerusalem and other holy sites.
The commission also budgeted ₦119,157,871 for its Pilgrims Heritage Camp project, which includes plans for a 12-storey office building. In a nod to renewable energy, ₦45.5m has been allocated for solar electricity installation at the commission’s headquarters.
Executive and staff welfare feature prominently in the NCPC budget. ₦70m has been approved for the purchase of a motor vehicle for the Executive Secretary, while ₦200m has been set aside for personnel welfare, slightly higher than the provision for NAHCON.
Administrative and hospitality costs are also notable, with ₦15m budgeted for refreshments and meals, ₦25.055m for office rent, and ₦35m for security services.
In contrast, funding for climate change and nuclear energy remains relatively modest. The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) are expected to spend just over ₦4.6bn combined in 2026.
The NCCC alone has been allocated ₦651.03m, aimed at coordinating Nigeria’s climate response. Of this amount, ₦151.03m will go to personnel costs, including ₦131.47m for salaries, while overheads will consume ₦200m. Capital projects account for the largest share at ₦300m, reflecting a focus on programme implementation rather than administrative expansion.
The disparity in allocations has raised questions about the government’s priorities at a time when climate adaptation, clean energy transition, and long-term energy security are becoming increasingly central to global economic planning.
