Hadaya excluded; December deadline fixed as Board seeks FG subsidy
The Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the official fare for the 2026 Hajj, fixing it at ₦8,244,813 per pilgrim. The fare excludes the Hadaya (animal sacrifice), which intending pilgrims are expected to arrange separately.
The Board’s Executive Secretary, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan, disclosed this on Monday in an interview with journalists in his office. He said the announcement was necessary to give intending pilgrims sufficient time to prepare and meet the payment schedule.
According to him, the figure was reached after consultations with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Saudi authorities. The cost covers accommodation, feeding, transportation, medical services, and flight arrangements.
He emphasized that all payments must be completed on or before December 2025, the deadline set by Saudi Arabia. Non-compliance, he warned, could lead to loss of slots and denial of visas.
The Executive Secretary explained that payments can be made through the 11 Local Government Hajj Officers in Gombe State, the Board’s Headquarters in Gombe, or a designated Ja’iz Bank branch. He said the multiple options were created to ease the process and ensure accountability.
Alhaji Hassan urged intending pilgrims to take the directive seriously and avoid last-minute payments. Early compliance, he noted, would allow the Board to finalize logistics efficiently and provide smooth arrangements for all participants.
While acknowledging the financial strain, he reminded Muslims that Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those with the means, stressing that spiritual readiness is as important as financial capacity.
The Executive Secretary also expressed optimism that the Federal Government would once again step in to subsidize the fare, just as it did in the past two years, to cushion the burden on Nigerian pilgrims.
“Government intervention in the last two Hajj seasons made the journey affordable for many Nigerians. We pray that such support will be extended again this year,” he stated.
He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and Islamic scholars across Gombe State to help enlighten intending pilgrims on the announced fare, payment methods, and the December deadline to prevent last-minute complications.
The announcement has sparked discussions across the state. While some Muslims described the fare as heavy, many expressed hope that Federal Government intervention would ease the financial load and enable more faithfuls to fulfill the sacred obligation.
As preparations continue, the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a safe, well-coordinated, and spiritually enriching Hajj experience for all pilgrims in 2026