Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has begun refunding more than N44 million to over 900 pilgrims who participated in the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The refund followed a discount approved on the cost of animal sacrifice for the state’s pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, as well as unused funds from the Basic Travel Allowance provided by the Jigawa State Government.
The Director-General of the board, Alhaji Ahmed Umar Labbo, disclosed this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Dutse.
Labbo said the board’s direct negotiation with the Hadaya company, responsible for animal sacrifice, secured a discount of nearly N44 million, which is now being refunded to the affected pilgrims.
He said the board had commenced the disbursement of N44,039,329 directly into the pilgrims’ bank accounts, adding that each pilgrim who paid for animal sacrifice through the board would receive more than N53,853.
The Director-General also said the board remitted an additional N27.365 million in unused funds from the Hajj exercise into the Jigawa State Government’s Treasury Single Account.
According to him, the total amount returned to the pilgrims and the state government stands at N71,404,329.
Labbo attributed the success of the 2026 Hajj operations to the support provided by Governor Umar Namadi throughout the exercise.
He prayed for Allah’s continued guidance and protection for the governor in the administration of the state.
Meanwhile, the board’s Director of Operations, Alhaji Muhammad Garba, called on intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj to make an initial deposit of N7.5 million before the September 25, 2026 deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and Saudi authorities for registration and payment.
Some of the beneficiaries from Dutse, Kiyawa, Jahun, Kafin Hausa and Birnin Kudu Local Government Areas, who confirmed receiving their refunds, commended the board’s management and the state government.
They praised Governor Namadi and the Pilgrims Welfare Board for providing welfare services during the Hajj, particularly in the areas of feeding, accommodation and medical care.
The pilgrims also commended the board for introducing a new accommodation allocation system, which enabled pilgrims to know their accommodation arrangements before departing from Dutse for Makkah.
According to them, the initiative helped reduce challenges usually associated with accommodation upon arrival in the Holy Land.
They described the remittance of N27.365 million in unused operational funds to the state government’s Treasury Single Account as a demonstration of transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
Usman Mohammed Zaria
