₦airaland Forum

The Kebbi State Government has rejected claims by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging the diversion of a ₦10 billion intervention fund meant for intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, describing the allegations as misleading and lacking full context.

The government clarified that the funds were not a grant or sponsorship but a temporary and fully recoverable financial intervention designed to protect Kebbi pilgrims from losing their Hajj slots.

Speaking at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed, explained that the amount was advanced through the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency as a short-term loan.

“The ₦10 billion intervention was not a sponsorship or a grant. It was a short-term loan advanced to enable intending pilgrims meet the deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON),” Ahmed said.

He disclosed that NAHCON had fixed December 5, 2025 as the nationwide deadline for full payment, but as of that date, only about 2,000 pilgrims from Kebbi State had completed their payments.

According to him, approximately 1,300 intending pilgrims were at risk of losing their Hajj slots due to incomplete payments, prompting the state government to intervene.

“To prevent our pilgrims from losing their slots, the state government approved a temporary financial intervention on the clear understanding that the money would be fully repaid within two weeks once the affected pilgrims completed their payments,” he explained.

The Commissioner further stated that the loan was fully repaid within days.

“By December 16, 2025, just eleven days after the intervention, the entire ₦10 billion had been repaid in full and returned to government coffers. There was no loss of public funds whatsoever,” Ahmed said.

He added that bank statements and agency records are available for public verification to confirm both the disbursement date and the repayment date.

Ahmed noted that the intervention was informed by the socioeconomic realities of the affected pilgrims, many of whom are farmers and traders awaiting proceeds from late November and early December harvests and commercial activities.

“The temporary challenge faced by the pilgrims was a matter of timing, not inability to pay,” he stated.

As a result of the intervention, the Commissioner revealed that Kebbi State now has 3,629 fully paid pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, placing the state second nationally.

“Kebbi State is now ranked second in the country and has been included among the first batch of states to be airlifted at the commencement of Hajj operations,” Ahmed said.

The state government also dismissed claims that the intervention came at the expense of critical sectors such as health and infrastructure.

According to the Commissioner, several hospitals, including tertiary health facilities, have been constructed, rehabilitated, or are currently undergoing rehabilitation, alongside numerous primary healthcare centres across the state.

While acknowledging the role of civil society organisations in promoting accountability, the Kebbi State Government urged MURIC to verify facts before making public statements.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, responsible governance, and the welfare of the people of Kebbi State.

Source: The Bureau Newspaper

Pilgrimage is a waste of public funds

Make them fight, abeg who go be red, I wan check something

10 billion from Nigeria to Saudi. Wow, great use of our national funds

My brother it couldn't get any worse, no. Free education, no free housing scheme, no free medical care

But all our leaders care about is praying

Is shameful

slivertongue:
Pilgrimage is a waste of public funds

People are even taking loans for religious pilgrimage, what a pity! May kal Marx and his theory enjoy eternal bliss.

Islamic thief thief. Shame

Thank God it is MURIC that has made this allegations.

Mrchippychappy:
10 billion from Nigeria to Saudi. Wow, great use of our national funds

Nope bro, you got it wrong.

According to this statement the State borrowed those who wouldn't be able to meet up with the deadline set by Hajj Comm. some amount to be repayable in days, to qualify for this you have to proof that you are able enough to remit the funds in weeks.

The state goffer got fully refunded, Muric now going with their smir campaign because the state ignored them and instead got the money direct to the account of individuals that were fully vetted and approved.

That's my understanding of the damned story.

RaySimran:
Nope bro, you got it wrong.

According to this statement the State borrowed those who wouldn't be able to meet up with the deadline set by Hajj Comm. some amount to be repayable in days, to qualify for this you have to proof that you are able enough to remit the funds in weeks.

The state goffer got fully refunded, Muric now going with their smir campaign because the state ignored them and instead got the money direct to the account of individuals that were fully vetted and approved.

That's my understanding of the damned story.

So MURIC wan cash out 10 billi? See mind.

See

RaySimran:
Nope bro, you got it wrong.

According to this statement the State borrowed those who wouldn't be able to meet up with the deadline set by Hajj Comm. some amount to be repayable in days, to qualify for this you have to proof that you are able enough to remit the funds in weeks.

The state goffer got fully refunded, Muric now going with their smir campaign because the state ignored them and instead got the money direct to the account of individuals that were fully vetted and approved.

That's my understanding of the damned story.

You said the government "got" the money directly to the individuals (I believe you meant the government "gave"

But is it supposed to be? Is the money supposed to be given to them?

Mrchippychappy:
So MURIC wan cash out 10 billi? See mind.

Like some foundational stuff you know.

They'll act as middle men between the state and the individuals interested so they could get their own cuts.

But the state was smarter, hand delivering the money themselves leaving MURIC in the dark

Yampotatocarrot:
See

You said the government "got" the money directly to the individuals (I believe you meant the government "gave"

But is it supposed to be? Is the money supposed to be given to them?

It wasn't a gift bro.

The money (at least leaning on this statement) was fully recovered.

The reason the government got involved was to enable those who wouldn't be able to meet up with the deadline get a chance. It was a very short term loan that individuals who qualified were thoroughly vetted and proven capable to refund.

Borrowing so much money, not for youth empowerment or drawing investments to the state, but Just to go and throw stones in saudi at man-made devil and come back? Our government can lie over everything in Nigeria. Once they deny a statement,.know its the truth. How can you sponsor people to go and throw stones or to go to Jerusalem with dirty and corrupt minds and back, with taxpayer's money? Let anyone who can afford it go at their expense. We're so wasteful in Nigeria.

10 billion for hajj, nigerian Christians we need to leave this people and fight this fight once and for all. Now many people are begining to understand the Biafrans

43Ronin:
10 billion for hajj, nigerian Christians we need to leave this people and fight this fight once and for all. Now many people are begining to understand the Biafrans

Even in Christian dominated states like Imo,Delta (part of who are the future biafrian states) also Lagos,etc. They do it. It's jist not.right. Anyone who wishes to go on a religious tour should do so at his/her expense, not with taxpayers money. Imagine investing that money on youth development or to empower artisans.

The FG should as a matter of urgency scrap NAHCON... Just waste of tax payers money.

At a time of hardship this is many shades of wrong!

Pilgrimage to worship an Arabian god called Allah, and a stone?

Do you know that Allah was one of the idols worshipped by Arabs before Muhammed was born?

Muslims, read the English version of Qur'an and see all the atrocities therein against humanity; don't be zombies that you take whatever your Iman tells you, by doing your own research.

slivertongue:
Pilgrimage is a waste of public funds

It’s a waste of personal fund and a way to keep Saudi tourism alive.

Mrchippychappy:
10 billion from Nigeria to Saudi. Wow, great use of our national funds

10 billions multiply by 36 states plus fct. Why Jesus self no come from my village

Eriokanmi:
Even in Christian dominated states,they do it..

Nope that a big lie. No one will give you loan to go to Jerusalem. More so it’s just tourism, nothing special. But one religion makes it mandatory to visit a place at least once in your lifetime to validate your religion. Isn’t that premium brainwashing

They are the biggest idol worshipers
Yet na them dey kill idol worshipers!
Na very anyhow religion!

Elliotwaveforec:
Pilgrimage to worship an Arabian God called Allah, and a stone!

Do you know that Allah was one of the idols worshipped by Arabs before Muhammed was born?

Muslims, read the English version of Qur'an and see all the atrocities therein against humanity; don't be zombies that you take whatever your Iman tells you, by doing your own research.

Imagine borrow money for useless things then embezzle it yet they will task everyone to pay it back

wellmax:
Nope that a big lie. No one will give you loan to go to Jerusalem. More so it’s just tourism, nothing special. But one religion makes it mandatory to visit a place at least once in your lifetime to validate your religion. Isn’t that premium brainwashing

I wasn't talking about taking loan to sponsor pilgrimage. I said Christian-dominated states too do fund Jerusalem pilgrimage, and that it's not right, when they do that with taxpayers money.Imo, Delta, Enugu, Lagos, etc always do this. Everyone should spend their money. They can use that money in prodictive areas in their respective states

slivertongue:
Pilgrimage is a waste of public funds

Giving people loans to go and do hajj. Tuehhhhh

RaySimran:
Nope bro, you got it wrong.

According to this statement the State borrowed those who wouldn't be able to meet up with the deadline set by Hajj Comm. some amount to be repayable in days, to qualify for this you have to proof that you are able enough to remit the funds in weeks.

The state goffer got fully refunded, Muric now going with their smir campaign because the state ignored them and instead got the money direct to the account of individuals that were fully vetted and approved.

That's my understanding of the damned story.

Is it that those who are not financially viable to go on pilgrimage won't make heaven.

Eriokanmi:
I wasn't talking about taking loan to sponsor pilgrimage. I said Christian-dominated states too do fund Jerusalem pilgrimage, and that it's not right, when they do that with taxpayers money.Imo, Delta, Enugu, Lagos, etc always do this. Everyone should spend their money. They can use that money in prodictive areas in their respective states

Those christians dominated state doing this are just wasting state resources, Jesus never said going on Jerusalem prigimage is one the conditions to make heaven.

This is a family affair, they can do better.

Guestmale:
Is it that those who are not financially viable to go on pilgrimage won't make heaven.

I ain't no Muslim bro

Just taking a cue from the information the state provides. That's all.