By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State — December 6, 2025(Series News Online)
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) set 5 December 2025 as the deadline for payment of the 2026 Hajj fare, a date that passed last Friday without an extension. However, Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, out of compassion for the state’s intending pilgrims, has released ten billion naira to secure about 1,300 Hajj seats, ensuring no eligible Kebbi pilgrim is left out.
Kebbi State Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency (KBSPWA), Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Yaro, disclosed this during a press conference on Saturday afternoon at his office. He said: “As you may be aware, the national Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) fixed 5 December 2025 as the deadline for the payment of 2026 Hajj fare; the deadline has expired last Friday and NAHCON has not extended it. But Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, out of his compassion to the state’s intending pilgrims, has released the sum of ten billion naira to secure slots of about 1,300 Hajj seats for Kebbi intending pilgrims, so that no intending pilgrim of Kebbi origin is left out.”
He added that the payment window has been reopened:“It is my singular honour and privilege to inform all Kebbi State intending pilgrims that the door is now open for any intending pilgrim to make payment for the 2026 Hajj up to Monday, 16 December 2025.”
Alhaji Yaro expressed gratitude to the governor: “I appreciate and thank Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris for all the support given to my agency to exercise its statutory duties as expected. I assure the governor and the entire people of Kebbi State that my agency is ready to conduct a successful 2026 Hajj exercise.”
He also affirmed the agency’s commitment: “We will continue to keep the Kebbi State flag flying during and after the conduct of Hajj exercises, God willing. As usual, we have started our 2026 Hajj preparations in good time to avoid any delay or late commencement of airlifting of intending pilgrims.”
The announcement has been welcomed by prospective pilgrims, who now have an additional two weeks to complete their payments and secure their places for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
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2026: Hajj Exercise