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.
Despite mounting debt, at least 10 Nigerian state governments have collectively spent more than N13.1 billion on the 2025 Hajj, FIJ investigations show. The pilgrimage ended Monday, with over 1.67 million Muslims participating, including thousands from Nigeria. NAHCON confirmed return flights began the same day, with seven Nigerian pilgrims buried in Saudi Arabia.
Among the biggest spenders, Niger State allocated N3.02 billion to support 3,000 pilgrims, while Sokoto gave N1.44 billion in cash gifts. Ebonyi spent N551 million for just 33 pilgrims, averaging N16.7 million each. Lagos, despite its N853 billion domestic debt, spent N97.4 million.
Other notable figures include Bauchi’s N248 million, Gombe’s N742.4 million in dollar disbursements, and Yobe’s N135.6 million for sacrificial rams. Jigawa transferred N6.3 billion directly to NAHCON, while Kano spent N361 million. The revelations have drawn public scrutiny over state priorities amid critical funding gaps in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.