Kebbi Govt Defends N10bn Loan to Pilgrims, Says Funds Fully Repaid

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The Kebbi State Government has defended its decision to grant a temporary N10 billion loan to intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj, insisting that the intervention was lawful, timely and fully repaid within two weeks.

The clarification was given on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi, during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi in response to allegations by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) over the loan facility.

Yakubu Birnin Kebbi said the government was compelled to act after the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria fixed December 5, 2025, as the deadline for full payment by all intending pilgrims nationwide. As at that date, he said only about 2,000 pilgrims from Kebbi State had completed payment, while approximately 1,300 others risked losing their slots due to incomplete payments.

According to him, the state government approved a short-term intervention through the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency to prevent eligible pilgrims from missing the deadline, based on a clear understanding that the funds would be repaid once the pilgrims completed their payments.

“The loan was granted on the clear understanding that it would be repaid within two weeks, and this agreement was fully honoured,” the commissioner said.

He disclosed that by December 16, 2025—11 days after the intervention—the entire N10 billion had been repaid and returned to government coffers, stressing that there was no loss of public funds or delay in redemption of pilgrims’ pledges.

Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi added that bank transaction records were available to confirm both the date the loan was granted and when it was fully repaid, noting that the state government was ready to open the records of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency for public scrutiny.

The commissioner explained that the intervention took into account the socioeconomic realities of the affected pilgrims, many of whom are farmers awaiting proceeds from late November and early December harvests, as well as traders expecting returns from end-of-year business activities.

“The government acted with confidence that repayment would be prompt, and that confidence was justified,” he said.

Responding to suggestions that the funds should have been used for hospital construction, the Commissioner said the Kebbi State Government had not neglected the health sector. He noted that hospitals across the state, including tertiary facilities, had been constructed, rehabilitated or are undergoing rehabilitation, while several primary healthcare centres have been built or renovated.

He also said the administration of Governor Nasir Idris has strengthened healthcare delivery by employing more doctors and nurses and addressing salary disparities, ensuring parity in remuneration for state health workers.

On the outcome of the intervention, the commissioner said Kebbi State now has 3,629 pilgrims who have fully paid for the 2026 Hajj, ranking second nationally in the number of pilgrims. He added that the state has been included among those to be airlifted in the first batch when airlift operations commence on May 2.

While acknowledging MURIC’s role in promoting accountability and good governance, the commissioner urged advocacy groups to verify facts before making public comments, adding that the state remains open to engagement with all stakeholders.

“Transparency remains a guiding principle of this administration, and the government will continue to act in the best interest of the people,” he said.