Jigawa releases ₦3.5bn to secure 2027 Hajj spots for pilgrims

Jigawa State's governing council has greenlit a ₦3.5 billion funding package to cover deposit payments required to reserve pilgrimage seats for the 2027 Hajj exercise. The move came during an executive meeting held Tuesday at the state capital, Dutse, with government officials citing the need to meet Saudi Arabia's financial deadlines for slot allocation.

State Information Commissioner Sagir Musa attributed the decision to Governor Umar Namadi's priority on citizen welfare and support for religious observance. The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, which will manage the funds, structured the loan as interest-free to ease the financial burden on intending pilgrims from the state.

Officials explained that early payment of deposits is critical to securing the state's full allocation of Hajj seats before the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's submission windows close. The approved amount covers approximately 466 registered pilgrims from Jigawa seeking to undertake the Islamic pilgrimage in 2027.

The board will coordinate with relevant agencies to process documentation and manage the distribution of funds. In related developments, Kano State's pilgrims board set August 7 as the deadline for registered 2027 pilgrims to submit valid international passports, with the submission window opening August 3.

The directive aims to allow sufficient time for travel document processing and administrative procedures ahead of the hajj period.