The Jigawa State Executive Council has approved a N3.5 billion interest-free loan for the State Pilgrims Welfare Board to facilitate early payments for the 2027 Hajj exercise and secure the state’s allocation of pilgrimage slots.
The Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Ahmad Umar Labbo, said the intervention would enable the state to meet the financial requirements for reserving Hajj seats before the deadline set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Labbo, in a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Habibu Yusuf Babura, ANIPR, described the approval as a reflection of Governor Umar Namadi’s commitment to supporting religious activities and enhancing the welfare of intending pilgrims in Jigawa State.
He explained that the facility would allow the board to make the mandatory initial deposits on behalf of intending pilgrims, ensuring that the state does not forfeit its allocated Hajj slots for the 2027 pilgrimage.
The Director-General commended Governor Namadi and members of the State Executive Council for what he described as a timely and strategic intervention, noting that Jigawa had continued to distinguish itself through sustained operational and financial support for Hajj administration.
Labbo assured that the board would uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in managing the funds, stressing that the loan would be used strictly for the purpose approved by the government.
He added that the board’s consistent record of refunding previous intervention funds immediately after collecting deposits from intending pilgrims had earned the confidence of the state government, enabling it to access support without relying on interest-bearing commercial loans.
He urged all intending pilgrims in the state to complete their payments without delay, noting that Saudi Arabian authorities had fixed September as the deadline for the payment of initial Hajj seat deposits.
Labbo reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring a seamless, transparent and successful Hajj operation for pilgrims from Jigawa State during the 2027 Hajj exercise.
