Hajj stakeholders have commended Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, for consistently providing bailout funds to secure the state’s Hajj seats in advance of pilgrim payments.
The praise was given by a former Kaduna State Commissioner of Education and Hajj specialist, Usman Shehu Muhammad, during a lecture at the Independent Hajj Reporters Post-2025 Hajj Review held in Abuja.
Muhammad noted that one of the major challenges of Hajj operations in Nigeria is late payment of fares by intending pilgrims, many of whom are smallholder farmers who rely on seasonal income. He explained that delays often affect remittances to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), thereby disrupting early preparations.
“In the last three years, Governor Namadi has ensured that Jigawa’s Hajj quota is paid for in advance, even before pilgrims register. The funds are later refunded to the state coffers, a practice that has eased pressure on the system,” he said.
Hajj Reporters reports that Jigawa State Executive Council had in January 2025 approved a request by the State Pilgrims Board for a loan of (₦3.36 Billion) Three Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Million Naira from the state government.
“The State Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports, and Culture, Alhaji Sagir Musa Ahmed, disclosed this while addressing journalists after the council meeting held at the Government House, Dutse.
He explained that the council’s approval aims to enable the board to reserve and secure 400 seats for intending Jigawa State pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj operations.
According to him, the approval is in line with Council’s satisfaction with
State Pilgrims Board timely refund of 2.2bn loan granted to the Board in 2024 as presented by the Secretary to the State Government”.
Muhammad urged other state governments to emulate the Jigawa model, stressing that timely payment remains crucial for seamless Hajj operations.
