By Maryam Shuaibu
The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has begun refunding 123 Saudi riyals to each pilgrim from the state following foreign exchange gains recorded during the 2026 Hajj exercise.
The Executive Chairman of the agency, Salihu Abubakar, announced the development on Monday at the pilgrims’ Ibrahim Khalil residence in Saudi Arabia.
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According to a statement issued by Ibraheem Musa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, the refund resulted from changes in the exchange rate between the period the Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) was calculated and the time pilgrims were airlifted.
Mr Abubakar explained that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) fixed the $500 BTA for each pilgrim at an exchange rate of N1,443 to the dollar, bringing the naira equivalent to N721,500.
However, before the departure of pilgrims, the naira appreciated against the dollar, with the exchange rate falling to N1,350.74 per dollar.
As a result, the value of the $500 BTA dropped to N675,370, creating a foreign exchange differential of N46,130 per pilgrim.
How the refund was calculated
Mr Abubakar said the agency secured an exchange rate of N375 to one Saudi riyal for the balance, translating to a refund of 123 Saudi riyals for each pilgrim.
He added that a balance of N5 remains outstanding for each pilgrim and would be paid in Nigeria to those who choose to collect it.
The agency chairman said the refund exercise commenced on Monday, beginning with pilgrims who travelled on the first flight.
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Mr Abubakar described the refund as part of the agency’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of pilgrims’ funds.
According to him, the exercise demonstrates efforts to ensure that pilgrims benefit from any financial gains arising from favourable exchange rate movements during the Hajj operations.