Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has released N10 billion to the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency to secure 1,300 Hajj seats from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.
This paymentt has enabled them beat the deadline for the payment of fares which closed on Friday, 5/12/2025.
A total of 3,300 Hajj seats were allocated to Kebbi by NAHCON for the 2026 Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, but only 2110 intending pilgrims from the state paid their full fares before the deadline for the closure of payment.
To avoid losing the unpaid seats, the Pilgrims Agency made overtures to Governor Nasir Idris for intervention, who consented to loan out N10 billion to secure the remaining seats to afford more time for other intending pilgrims wishing to perform the 2026 Hajj to pay their fares.
The Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruku Aliyu Yaro, Stated that availability of 1,300 Hajj seats, hitherto, unpaid for, but the intervention of Governor Idris, has now made it possible for interested Muslims in the state to go forward and pay for the seats within ten days.
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“From now to the 16th of this month, interested intending pilgrims from all the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi, could purchase the seats with direct payment to the Headquarters of the Agency in Birnin Kebbi, or in their respective local government Hajj offices at the cost of N7.6 million, on first-come, first-served basis.
“The Agency sincerely thanks the Governor for his foresight and support without which Kebbi could have forfeited the unpaid seats due to the closure of payment by NAHCON.
“Now, the payment has been internalised within state level to enable the extension of time to ten more days for intending pilgrims to secure the seats
“Furthermore, NAHCON has released schedule for the 2026 Hajj operation, indicating that the inaugural flight to Saudi Arabia from Nigeria commences on 3/5/2026, which Kebbi will be in the forefront
“As what obtained in 2025, Flynas Airline will airlift Kebbi pilgrims to and fro Saudi Arabia“, Faruku said.
The Chairman warned intending pilgrims to be abreast of new changes in the conduct of the 2026 Hajj by NAHCON and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Endowments.
“Compulsory medical tests will be carried out on every intending pilgrim to ensure that he or she is not afflicted by nine different diseases enumerated by the Saudi authorities
“Anybody carrying one or more of the diseases will be denied entry into the Holy Land, and any pilgrim who escaped proper diagnosis in Nigeria will be examined on arrival at Madinah or Jeddah.
“Whoever tests positive for any of the ailments will be deported back to Nigeria.
“Similarly, the Agency is giving stern warning to intending pilgrims to avoid carrying prohibited items into Saudi Arabia, such as Kolanuts or cigarettes.
“Some intransigent pilgrims are now in Jail in the Kingdom for breaching their laws.
“Kebbi will like to maintain its paramount position in the best arrangements and having largest number of pilgrims to the Hajj among states nationwide.
“We urge our people to maintain good conduct both here and in the Holy Land”, the Chairman said.