The Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, under the leadership of Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan (Sardaunan Yamaltu), the Executive Secretary, has announced the commencement of refunds to 2,596 pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj exercise.
Each pilgrim is entitled to a refund of ₦61,080 due to unfulfilled services from the Saudi Arabian authorities.
In his statement, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan urged affected pilgrims to submit their passports and bank account details through their respective local government Hajj officers or directly to the board.
According to board the measure is aims to ensure accurate and timely disbursement of refunds to all beneficiaries without discrepancies.
He further disclosed that a total of 73,336 pilgrims across Nigeria, including the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are eligible for the refund. States with the highest number of affected pilgrims include Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Lagos, and the FCT.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Hajj exercise, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan called on prospective pilgrims to promptly deposit their fares through the board or their local government Hajj officers. Early payment will facilitate the seamless transfer of funds to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and ensure timely arrangements in compliance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s guidelines.
The board remains committed to ensuring a smooth and transparent process for both refunds and future Hajj preparations.
