By Soliu Oyesiji
The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced a refund of 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim from the state currently in Saudi Arabia, with an additional ₦5 to be paid upon return to Nigeria for those who opt to collect it.
The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, disclosed this on Monday shortly after the Zuhr prayer at the pilgrims’ accommodation mosque.
He explained that during the 2026 Hajj fare collection, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) set the Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) at $500, calculated at an exchange rate of ₦1,443 per dollar, amounting to ₦721,500 per pilgrim.
However, Abubakar noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) later provided the BTA at a lower rate of ₦1,350.74 per dollar, reducing the actual cost to ₦675,370 per pilgrim and creating a balance of ₦46,130.
According to him, the agency subsequently converted the surplus at an exchange rate of ₦375 per Saudi Riyal, resulting in a refund equivalent to about 123 Saudi Riyals, with a residual ₦5 balance to be paid in Nigeria.
He added that the refund exercise will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Monday at the Kaduna State pilgrims’ accommodation in Saudi Arabia.
Abubakar assured that all eligible pilgrims will receive their refunds accordingly.
