Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has approved a bailout of 5 billion Naira to secure Hajj slots for intending pilgrims from the state, ahead of the December 5 deadline set by the Saudi authorities for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The intervention is widely regarded as a timely and strategic measure to ensure Gombe State does not lose its allocated Hajj seats due to stringent payment deadlines and limited quota availability under the new Saudi guidelines.
The Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan, announced this during a meeting with journalists at his office on Monday.
He explained that the Governor’s approval was driven by compassion and a deep sense of responsibility toward the religious aspirations of Muslims across the state.
According to Alhaji Hassan, Governor Inuwa Yahaya acted swiftly to avert a situation in which intending pilgrims might miss the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Hajj due to financial constraints or administrative delays.
He noted that the Saudi Hajj authorities have placed strong emphasis on punctuality in meeting payment deadlines this year, making the December 5 cutoff a decisive determinant for each participating nation.
The Executive Secretary added that the 5 billion Naira bailout will be used specifically to settle the Hajj slots in advance, thereby securing Gombe’s quota before the limited slots are reallocated to other countries.
He assured that once the payments are finalised, the bailout funds will be refunded to the Gombe State Government account in line with principles of transparency and financial accountability.
Alhaji Hassan emphasised that the 2026 Hajj slots are highly limited, warning that any delay on the part of intending pilgrims could result in the loss of their seats since the allocation process operates strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
He therefore urged all intending pilgrims to take advantage of what he described as a “golden opportunity” provided by His Excellency, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, by continuing their payments up to the end of December.
The Executive Secretary extended deep appreciation to the Governor, describing him as a leader committed to uplifting the spiritual and social well-being of his people.
Alhaji Hassan further commended the Governor’s wisdom, generosity, and devotion, stressing that the bailout once again reflects the administration’s resolve to ensure that no intending pilgrim is left behind.
He called on community leaders, Islamic scholars, and families of intending pilgrims to help create awareness on the need to meet the payment deadlines in order to secure the limited slots available.
He also urged the people of Gombe State to continue praying for the Governor, asking Allah to protect him, guide him, and grant the fulfilment of his noble wishes and prayers.
Alhaji Hassan concluded by reaffirming the Board’s readiness to support all intending pilgrims throughout the preparation process, assuring them of a smooth, transparent, and well-coordinated Hajj operation for the 2026 pilgrimage