Dutse, Nov. 30, 2025
Jigawa state government through the state Pilgrims Welfare Board, has said that it has refunded N50 million to the 2026 intending pilgrims, following the reduction of Hajj seats by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Director General of the board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, disclosed this in an interaction with newsmen in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital.
According to him, the refund is for the state intending pilgrims who already made payment for their Hajj seats to the board, before the announcement of the reduction of the fares by the Federal Government.
Labbo said, “NAHCON has revised the cost for the Northern zone, which now stands at over N7.6 million, and the refund is a directive from the National Hajj Commission, following the substantial reduction of the next year’s Hajj exercise,” he said.
He commended the board’s zonal officers for the swift collection of application forms and details from the prospective pilgrims in the state.
Shedding light on the preparations of 2026 Hajj operations, Labbo pointed out that, the board is working tirelessly to secure the best arrangements for the state contingent in Saudi Arabia.
The DG however, reminded all intending pilgrims, to ensure they pay for their Hajj seats on or before December 24th 2025.
Labbo further expressed gratitude to Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa, for his continuous support and unwavering commitment to the board.
Aisha Ahmed ✍ from Dutse
