Hajj2026: NORTHERN GOVERNORS SHOULD HELP PAY FOR 2026 HAJJ SEATS - Sarkin Alhazan Katsina
By Kabir Ahmed S/Kuka
Katsina State pilgrims who wish to perform Hajj 2026 are urged to pay their deposit of N8.5 million before the deadline set by the National Hajj and Umrah Commission (NAHCON), which is October 8, 2025.
Alhazan Katsina, who is also the Chairman of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Kabir Bature, made the call while speaking to our correspondent on the board’s preparations for the upcoming Hajj. The chairman said that the board has already continued its preparations from PWB headquarters to other areas of the across the state, especially by mobilised and emphasizing the importance of paying the deposit before the expiry of the given deadline.
"Katsina State has been allocated over 3,000 seats from NAHCON for the 2026 Hajj exercise and we are trying to ensure that these seats are filled even though the time taken to pay these fees is short and the economic crisis is a problem".
“Given the circumstances and the tight schedule, I am calling on our governments to come forward and purchase these seats allocated to their states before the deadline. They can buy the seats as loans to the pilgrims who will withdraw their money when the pilgrims continue to pay. For example, take Katsina State, most of the pilgrims who are going to perform Hajj are farmers, and given the way this year’s rains have come in some parts, and the crops are only now showing their fruits which will be exported in a while, and the payment is due by October 8, there is a possibility that if the government does not come forward to purchase the seats, it will be difficult to get 300, not 3,000 people who will be able to perform this religious duty. Therefore, I am calling on the state governments, not just Katsina, to come forward to support this operations by purchasing these seats as loans to the intended pilgrims of which enable more people to perform this operation and pray for the states and the country".
It will be recalled that the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, had earlier vowed to lead other governors to the Federal Government to discuss issues related to Hajj during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, in Abuja after the completion of the 2025 Hajj.