.The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the distribution of a refund of 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim from the state, following a foreign exchange differential that emerged during the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The announcement was made by the Executive Chairman of the Agency, Malam Salihu S. Abubakar, during a special briefing held for Kaduna pilgrims at their Ibrahim Khalil residence in Makkah after the Zuhr prayer on Monday.
Addressing the pilgrims, Malam Salihu explained that the refund became necessary due to changes in the foreign exchange market between the period when Hajj fares were calculated and the actual airlift of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to him, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had initially fixed the exchange rate for the 500-dollar Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) at N1,443 per dollar. Based on that rate, a total of N721,500 was allocated for each pilgrim’s travel allowance.
However, before the commencement of the airlift operations, the Nigerian currency appreciated against the United States dollar. The exchange rate subsequently dropped to N1,350.74 per dollar, reducing the naira equivalent required to provide the same 500-dollar allowance to N675,370 per pilgrim.
Malam Salihu noted that the appreciation of the naira created a balance of N46,130 for every pilgrim. He said the agency carefully reviewed the situation and resolved that the excess amount should be refunded to the pilgrims in a transparent and accountable manner.
To facilitate the refund process, the agency secured an exchange rate of N375 per Saudi Riyal. This enabled the conversion of the outstanding balance into 123 Saudi Riyals for each pilgrim, with an additional balance of N5 remaining.
The Chairman emphasized that the decision to refund the money reflected the agency’s commitment to integrity, accountability, and prudent management of resources entrusted to it by intending pilgrims.
“We believe that every pilgrim deserves to receive the full benefit of any savings realized during the Hajj operation. This refund demonstrates our commitment to transparency and our determination to ensure that pilgrims get value for every kobo they contribute,” he said.
Malam Salihu disclosed that the refund exercise commenced immediately after the Asr prayer on Monday, beginning with pilgrims who arrived in Saudi Arabia on the first flight from Kaduna State. He added that arrangements had been put in place to ensure that all eligible pilgrims receive their refunds in an orderly and efficient manner.
He further assured pilgrims that the remaining N5 balance belonging to each beneficiary would be paid upon their return to Nigeria, stressing that the agency was determined to account for every amount due to the pilgrims.
The announcement was warmly received by the pilgrims, many of whom expressed appreciation for the openness displayed by the agency. Several pilgrims described the refund as evidence of responsible leadership and a clear indication that the welfare of pilgrims remains a top priority for the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State pilgrims have commended the Special Hajj Committee led by Malam Salihu S. Abubakar for what they described as transparency, accountability, and effective management of Hajj affairs. They praised the committee for keeping pilgrims adequately informed throughout the exercise and for ensuring that all financial matters were handled with honesty and fairness.
The pilgrims noted that the refund initiative has further strengthened their confidence in the management of Hajj operations in Kaduna State. They expressed gratitude to the agency and the Hajj committee for their dedication to serving pilgrims and prayed for the continued success of future Hajj exercises.