Dino Melaye Faults FG’s Sponsorship of Religious Pilgrimages, Says Funds Should Tackle Developmental Challenges

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has criticised the Federal Government’s spending on sponsoring Nigerians for religious pilgrimages to Mecca and Israel, arguing that public funds should instead be directed towards addressing the country’s developmental challenges.

Melaye made his position known during an interview shared on social media, where he questioned the government’s involvement in financing religious activities.

The former lawmaker maintained that matters of faith and an individual’s relationship with God should remain personal rather than becoming a responsibility of the government.

He argued that public resources used to sponsor religious pilgrims could be channelled into other areas of national development, including addressing challenges affecting Nigerians.

Melaye also suggested that religious institutions and financially capable individuals should take responsibility for supporting people who wish to embark on spiritual journeys.

According to him, churches, mosques and wealthy Nigerians are better positioned to provide financial assistance to intending pilgrims without relying on government funding.

His comments have brought renewed attention to the debate over the use of public funds for religious activities and whether government-sponsored pilgrimages should remain part of public expenditure.