As the September deadline for the payment of the 2027 hajj fare draws nearer, intending pilgrims in Sokoto state have been urged to deposit N 7.7 million pending the announcement of the official fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The chairman, Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhajj Aliyu Musa made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Sokoto. He disclosed that the state was allocated 2773 seats and that the commission had commenced the sale and registration of the intending pilgrims
Musa particularly extolled the invaluable moral and financial support of Sokoto state governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu towards ensuring the success of the activities of the agency as well as bolstering the smooth conduct of hajj operations.
He said the Saudi authorities had directed NAHCON to commence registration for 2027 hajj immediately after the 2025 exercise, and the Sokoto state government has directed the PWA to begin in earnest.
“We have gone far in registration and remittances. This is not business as usual.
“We are calling on intending pilgrims to meet the deadline because the government has assured us there will be no extension this year.
“The deadline for payment of the N7.7m deposit is 26th September 2026. We asked all intending pilgrims to pay N7, 700,000 as part payment pending the outcome of the tentative hajj fare from NAHCON,” he stated.
Musa warned against registration by proxy and use of unauthorised channels, noting Sokoto’s peculiar challenge of pilgrims from Niger Republic using proxy means for over two decades.
To curb this, he said, the agency has introduced a “Guarantor’s Form” which must be completed by a district head, village head, or other recognized authority. No pilgrim should go to Hajj without a guarantor.
“The guarantor must also submit his National ID and the form must be signed by the local government Hajj Officer, Immigration Officer, and local government council chairman,” he explained.
He urged intending pilgrims to deposit payments only into dedicated accounts provided by the PWA and the state government to avoid fraud.
Alhaji Musa said the agency is working with designated banks to promote the Hajj Savings Scheme and that more banks have indicated interest in joining.
He also confirmed that NAHCON had recognized Sokoto state with an award for excellent conduct during the 2026 Hajj operations following an independent assessment.