Niger State Pilgrims Welfare Board has set N8.5 million as the minimum deposit for the 2026/1447 Hajj fare, for intending pilgrims from the State.
In a statement by the spokesman of the Board, Jibrin Kodo, the arrangement is in tandem with the recent pronouncement by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON), pegging the N8.5 million as the minimum deposit.
According to the statement, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Muhammad-Awwal Aliyu, made the announcement during a crucial meeting of the Board, adding that 5,156 seats were allocated to the State by NAHCON.
He noted that every intending pilgrim must possess an e-passport before the payment, to help in streamlining the new e-transactions registration system of the Board.
He further explained that the e-passport number would be used as the narration of the payment, having the intending pilgrim’s teller as the evidence of the payment, which would be presented to the various Area Pilgrims Welfare Officers, (APWOs).
The Executive Secretary said the Board would thoroughly evaluate the health status of every intending pilgrim, to determine their eligibility status, right from the local government to the State levels.
The statement quoted Hajj Commission boss as saying that the Board would also provide detailed guidelines and support, to assist intending pilgrims, throughout the payment process and beyond, ensuring that every intending pilgrim who embarks on the spiritual journey, is well-informed and educated of necessary protocols and procedures.
Editor: Ken Eseni