Gombe Secures 2026 Hajj Slots As Governor Inuwa Yahaya Approves N5bn Intervention For Early Payment Deadline

To secure the Hajj slots allocated to Gombe State for the 2026 pilgrimage, the state government has paid over ₦5 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), meeting the December 5th payment deadline imposed by Saudi authorities.

Briefing newsmen on the development, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan, said the intervention was approved by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to ensure that intending pilgrims from the state are not excluded from the 2026 Hajj due to the accelerated global payment schedule.

According to him, “This gesture stems from His Excellency’s magnanimous concern to ensure that Gombe State’s intending pilgrims are not left out of the 2026 Hajj exercise despite the early deadline set by Saudi authorities.”

He explained that Saudi Arabia had directed all participating countries to complete their Hajj fare remittances within the first week of December in order to allow timely planning and logistical preparations.

Alhaji Hassan disclosed that when the matter was presented to the governor, fewer than 100 intending pilgrims in Gombe had completed their payments. This prompted Governor Yahaya to approve a ₦5 billion bailout, enabling the state to secure all its allocated slots while giving intending pilgrims the flexibility to complete payment at their convenience until the end of December 2026, instead of the imminent December 5th cutoff.

He expressed profound appreciation to the governor for what he described as a vital and timely intervention, assuring that the funds would be fully refunded to the state government.

The Executive Secretary called on intending pilgrims to take full advantage of the lifeline provided, stressing that the board will apply a “first come, first serve” approach in allocating slots. He emphasized that early payment remains crucial for smooth arrangements both in Nigeria and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Hassan further noted that the board has already secured befitting accommodations and concluded several key logistical arrangements in Saudi Arabia to ensure a seamless and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience for Gombe pilgrims.

For the 2026 Hajj exercise, NAHCON has allocated 950 slots to Gombe State.