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….Governor Idris Hails NAHCON Reforms, Says Kebbi Pilgrims Benefiting From Improved Hajj Operations
From Abdullahi Inuwa
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has commended the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for what he described as significant improvements in the organisation of Hajj operations, particularly the airlift and safe return of Nigerian pilgrims.
The governor gave the commendation on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when he received a NAHCON delegation led by the National Commissioner representing the North-West and Board Member, Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthman, during a courtesy visit to Birnin Kebbi ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
Governor Idris said the reforms being implemented by NAHCON were evidence of purposeful leadership and the commitment of knowledgeable professionals to improving the experience of Nigerian pilgrims.
He assured the Commission of Kebbi State’s continued cooperation, saying the state was prepared to support reforms designed to make Hajj operations more efficient, transparent and pilgrim-friendly.
The governor also expressed support for the proposed greater participation of private operators in Hajj arrangements, stressing that every initiative capable of improving service delivery to pilgrims deserved consideration.
Governor Idris linked Kebbi’s consistently high number of pilgrims to the economic empowerment policies of his administration, particularly its sustained intervention in the agricultural sector.
According to him, the state government has distributed fertiliser, power tillers, solar-powered irrigation pumps, CNG-powered pumps and herbicides to farmers free of charge.
He said the interventions had boosted agricultural productivity, strengthened household incomes and increased the financial capacity of residents to undertake the pilgrimage.
Beyond economic empowerment, Governor Idris said his administration had also continued to shoulder the payment of Hadyah for Kebbi pilgrims as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden associated with Hajj.
He made a firm commitment that the policy would continue throughout his tenure as governor.
The governor said the gesture reflected his administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens and its desire to support pilgrims who travel to the Holy Land not only to fulfil their religious obligations but also to pray for peace and prosperity in Nigeria and Kebbi State.
Earlier, Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthman conveyed the greetings of the NAHCON Chairman, Ismai Abba, and praised the Kebbi State Government for its sustained support for pilgrims.
He explained that the NAHCON delegation was visiting states across the country as part of consultations with governors and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
He described state governments as critical partners in the success of the annual pilgrimage and stressed the need for continued cooperation to ensure a smooth and hitch-free operation.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu, disclosed that Kebbi had so far recorded 3,257 registered pilgrims, the highest number among states in the country.
He added that the state had already remitted ₦21.5 billion to NAHCON, with another ₦5 billion expected to be paid shortly.
The latest development underscores Kebbi’s growing participation in Hajj and the state government’s continued emphasis on reducing the financial burden on pilgrims while strengthening cooperation with NAHCON ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.ma
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has commended the leadership of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for what he described as significant improvements in the organisation of Hajj operations, particularly the airlift and safe return of Nigerian pilgrims.
The governor gave the commendation on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when he received a NAHCON delegation led by the National Commissioner representing the North-West and Board Member, Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthman, during a courtesy visit to Birnin Kebbi ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
Governor Idris said the reforms being implemented by NAHCON were evidence of purposeful leadership and the commitment of knowledgeable professionals to improving the experience of Nigerian pilgrims.
He assured the Commission of Kebbi State’s continued cooperation, saying the state was prepared to support reforms designed to make Hajj operations more efficient, transparent and pilgrim-friendly.
The governor also expressed support for the proposed greater participation of private operators in Hajj arrangements, stressing that every initiative capable of improving service delivery to pilgrims deserved consideration.
Governor Idris linked Kebbi’s consistently high number of pilgrims to the economic empowerment policies of his administration, particularly its sustained intervention in the agricultural sector.
According to him, the state government has distributed fertiliser, power tillers, solar-powered irrigation pumps, CNG-powered pumps and herbicides to farmers free of charge.
He said the interventions had boosted agricultural productivity, strengthened household incomes and increased the financial capacity of residents to undertake the pilgrimage.
Beyond economic empowerment, Governor Idris said his administration had also continued to shoulder the payment of Hadyah for Kebbi pilgrims as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden associated with Hajj.
He made a firm commitment that the policy would continue throughout his tenure as governor.
> “Provided I remain all the years that God gives me to serve as Governor, pilgrims of Kebbi State will never pay Hadyah. Government of Kebbi State will continue to pay Hadyah for them.”
The governor said the gesture reflected his administration’s commitment to the welfare of citizens and its desire to support pilgrims who travel to the Holy Land not only to fulfil their religious obligations but also to pray for peace and prosperity in Nigeria and Kebbi State.
Earlier, Sheikh Muhammad bin Uthman conveyed the greetings of the NAHCON Chairman, Ismai Abba, and praised the Kebbi State Government for its sustained support for pilgrims.
He explained that the NAHCON delegation was visiting states across the country as part of consultations with governors and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 Hajj.
He described state governments as critical partners in the success of the annual pilgrimage and stressed the need for continued cooperation to ensure a smooth and hitch-free operation.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruk Aliyu, disclosed that Kebbi had so far recorded 3,257 registered pilgrims, the highest number among states in the country.
He added that the state had already remitted ₦21.5 billion to NAHCON, with another ₦5 billion expected to be paid shortly.
The latest development underscores Kebbi’s growing participation in Hajj and the state government’s continued emphasis on reducing the financial burden on pilgrims while strengthening cooperation with NAHCON ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.
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