By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria — Jan 13, 2026
The Kebbi State Government has successfully secured 3,629 fully-paid slots for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, positioning it for a first-batch airlift on May 2nd, after a strategic financial intervention ensured no intending pilgrim was left behind.
The achievement followed a short-term N10 billion loan to pilgrims, which has since been fully repaid to state coffers, a move the government defended as a necessary and prudent measure.
Responding to concerns raised by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, provided a detailed clarification in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday. He explained that the intervention was a temporary bridge loan, not a grant, and was fully recovered within 11 days.
"To avert this situation and prevent eligible pilgrims from missing the opportunity to perform the Hajj, the state government approved a short-term loan strictly on the understanding that it would be repaid within two weeks," Ahmed stated. "The agreement was fully honoured, as the entire N10 billion was repaid by Dec. 16, 2025, just 11 days after the intervention."
The situation arose from a Dec. 5, 2025, deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. With only 2,000 of the state's pilgrims having completed payments, about 1,300 were at risk of forfeiting their slots. Ahmed noted the government acted with foresight, understanding the economic cycles of its citizens.
“The government acted with confidence in the pilgrims’ capacity to repay promptly, and that confidence was justified,” he said, explaining that many were farmers and traders awaiting proceeds from harvests and business.
Addressing suggestions that the funds should have been used for other sectors like healthcare, the commissioner asserted that the government maintains a strong commitment to all areas of development. He cited the construction and rehabilitation of multiple hospitals, the employment of more medical staff, and salary adjustments to retain healthcare professionals under Governor Nasir Idris's administration.
“Within two and a half years, the administration has delivered about 90 per cent of its campaign promises across sectors, while infrastructure development continues unabated,” Ahmed affirmed.
While acknowledging MURIC's important role as a watchdog, the commissioner gently advised the group to ensure all facts are verified before making public pronouncements. He extended an offer of complete transparency to validate the government's account of the loan.
"There was no delay, no default and no loss of public funds," Ahmed reiterated. "Kebbi government remains committed to transparency and is open to engagement. All relevant records will be made available to establish the full facts.”
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