Kaduna pilgrims to receive 123 Riyals each

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has begun refunding 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim, starting Monday.

Executive Chairman Malam Salihu S Abubakar explained the calculation to the pilgrims in a special announcement held after the afternoon prayer at the Ibrahim Khalil residence.

He said that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had set the $500 Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) for each pilgrim at N1,143 per dollar.

A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, noted that Salihu further clarified the total $500 BTA equated to N721,500 per pilgrim.

The Chairman pointed out that the naira had appreciated by the time the pilgrims were airlifted, with the local currency then exchanging at N1,350.74 per dollar.

He added that the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA had dropped to N675,370 per pilgrim.

According to Salihu, the resulting forex differential amounted to N46,130 per pilgrim.

The agency subsequently secured an exchange rate of ₦375 per Saudi Riyal for the remaining balance.

This rate translates to 123 Saudi Riyals, the amount that will be refunded to each pilgrim, with an additional balance of ₦5.

Salihu said the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency will start issuing the 123 Saudi Riyals to pilgrims after the Asir (4 pm) prayer, beginning with those who arrived on the first flight.

He added that the remaining ₦5 will be paid to pilgrims in Nigeria who choose to collect it.

Meanwhile, Kaduna pilgrims have praised the Malam Salihu S Abubakar‑led Special Hajj Committee for its transparency and accountability in the conduct of the Hajj and the agency’s overall operations.