Ten Governors Spend Over N13bn on 2025 Hajj While States Sink in Debt
Despite mounting debt burdens, at least 10 Nigerian state governments have collectively spent more than N13.1 billion on the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, an FIJ review has shown.
The 2025 Hajj officially ended on Monday, with over 1.67 million Muslims — thousands of them from Nigeria — completing the religious rites in Saudi Arabia.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said return flights for Nigerian pilgrims began on Monday. Seven Nigerian pilgrims were reported dead during the trip and were buried in Saudi Arabia.
As pilgrims begin to return home, FIJ shifted attention to the cost of state sponsorship, especially at a time when most states are battling debt and struggling to fund basic services like healthcare, education and infrastructure.
In Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Aliyu gave N450,000 in cash to each of the state’s 3,200 pilgrims, bringing the total expenditure to N1.44 billion.
Ebonyi State, with 33 pilgrims, spent a considerable N551 million. Out of this, N285 million came from the state government, while local government councils contributed N266 million, an average of about N16.7 million per pilgrim.
In Niger State, government support for about 3,000 pilgrims reportedly cost N3.02 billion, amounting to just over N1 million per person.
Katsina State also spent generously. Dikko Umar Radda gave out N250,000 each to 2,047 pilgrims, bringing the total to about N511.75 million. Lagos, the most indebted state in the country with over N853 billion in domestic debt, gave N74,000 each to 1,315 pilgrims — equivalent to 180 Saudi Riyals — costing the state roughly N97.4 million.
In Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed offered 300 Saudi Riyals, or around N124,000, to each of 2,000 pilgrims. The total amount spent was about N248 million, despite the state owing over N145 billion.
Gombe State took a different route entirely. Inuwa Yahaya, the state governor, committed $500 in cash to each of the state’s 969 pilgrims. At the exchange rate of N1,532 per dollar, the total came to roughly N742.4 million.
Yobe State allocated N135.6 million for its 1,098 pilgrims to buy sacrificial rams and observe the tradition. Each person received 300 Saudi Riyals, or around N124,000.
In Jigawa, the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Board said it transferred N6.3 billion directly to the Hajj Commission for its pilgrims but did not provide further breakdowns. Kano spent N361 million on 3,155 pilgrims, averaging about N114,400 per person.
Some states, like Osun, confirmed they provided support to pilgrims using public funds but have yet to disclose how much they spent.
So far, spending declared by state governments has surpassed N13.1 billion. The real figure is likely higher, as several states have not made their spending public.
These expenses, again, come at a time when many states are failing to meet key obligations. For example, Bauchi, with over N145 billion in debt, still found N248 million for pilgrim support.
Ebonyi, with debts exceeding N19 billion, spent over half a billion naira to sponsor just 33 people. Sokoto, owing nearly N59 billion, disbursed N1.44 billion in cash gifts to pilgrims.
These spending figures raise questions about the priorities of state governments while citizens continue to struggle with delayed salaries, underfunded hospitals and failing schools.
https://fij.ng/article/ten-governors-spend-over-n13bn-on-2025-hajj-while-states-sink-in-subnational-debts/
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