From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) has officially flagged off registration and sales of seats for the 2027 Hajj operations, fixing an initial deposit of N7.7 million per intending pilgrim pending the release of the final fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Announcing the rollout on Monday in Sokoto, PWA Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Musa commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for his unwavering moral and financial backing, noting that the state government is fully committed to ensuring a seamless pilgrimage.
Sokoto State has been allocated 2,773 Hajj slots, which have already been distributed across the 23 Local Government Area registration centers.
It added that intending pilgrims must pay the N7.7 million deposit by September 26, 2026, as state officials warned there will be no deadline extension.
To eliminate registration by proxy and address a long-standing issue involving unauthorized cross-border registrations, the agency has introduced a mandatory “Guarantor’s Form.”
It noted that the document must be verified by a District Head, Village Head, or recognized authority, and accompanied by the guarantor’s National ID alongside signatures from the LGA Hajj Officer, Immigration Officer, and LGA Chairman.
Pilgrims are instructed to make deposits exclusively into designated state government accounts to prevent fraud.
The PWA said it is also expanding partnerships with commercial banks to promote the Hajj Savings Scheme.
The Chairman added that NAHCON recently recognized Sokoto State with an award for excellent performance during the 2026 Hajj operations, expressing confidence that the state will achieve even greater success in 2027.
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