Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has approved a ₦10 billion financial intervention to the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency to secure additional Hajj seats for the 2026 exercise, following widespread inability of intending pilgrims to meet the national payment deadline.
The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Yaro, disclosed the development on Saturday, saying the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCOM) closed the sale of seats on December 6, 2025. According to him, the intervention became necessary to prevent the state from losing its remaining seat allocation.
Before the sale closed, only about 2,000 intending pilgrims from Kebbi were able to complete their payments—significantly lower than the state’s usual annual turnout. Yaro attributed the decline to worsening economic conditions, noting that most Kebbi pilgrims traditionally finance their Hajj through proceeds from agricultural harvests.
“Almost sixty percent of our intending pilgrims are farmers. With the crash in food prices this year, many could not raise enough money to pay for Hajj. The rest are civil servants and a few private individuals,” he said.
The chairman explained that the governor’s ₦10 billion facility—effectively a loan to the Agency—will be used to procure over 1,000 additional seats, which will then be resold to intending pilgrims who missed the original deadline.
“With this boost, we have opened a new window for those who still wish to pay. We appreciate Governor Idris for the intervention, as it will help us meet our expected quota,” Yaro added.
While the intervention allows Kebbi to maintain its Hajj quota, questions remain around the transparency and repayment structure of the ₦10 billion loan, how the funds will be recovered, and what safeguards are in place to prevent losses or mismanagement—issues the Agency is expected to clarify to ensure public accountability.
Yaro also cautioned intending pilgrims to adhere strictly to required medical screenings, stressing that Saudi authorities have intensified enforcement against pilgrims who evade health checks.
“Anyone who avoids the approved medical examinations and is caught in Saudi Arabia will be deported and banned for years. The medical screening is compulsory and must be respected,” he warned.
As preparations for the 2026 Hajj continue, the financial intervention marks one of the largest Hajj-related expenditures by any state ahead of the upcoming pilgrimage, spotlighting both the economic pressures on citizens and the need for transparent public financial management.
