Kaduna pilgrims to receive 123 Riyals each as Forex differential refund

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the refund of 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim as a foreign exchange differential arising from the 2026 Hajj exercise.

The Executive Chairman of the Agency, Salihu S. Abubakar, explained the basis of the refund during a special announcement made after the Zuhr (afternoon) prayer at the pilgrims’ residence on Ibrahim Khalil Street in Makkah.

According to him, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, had fixed the exchange rate for the $500 Basic Travel Allowance, BTA, at ₦1,443 per dollar. This brought the naira equivalent of the allowance to ₦721,500 per pilgrim.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa, the chairman explained that the value of the naira appreciated by the time pilgrims were airlifted to Saudi Arabia, with the exchange rate standing at ₦1,350.74 to the dollar.

As a result, the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA dropped to ₦675,370 per pilgrim, creating a balance of ₦46,130 due to the exchange rate differential.

Mr Salihu said the agency subsequently secured an exchange rate of ₦375 per Saudi Riyal for the balance, translating to a refund of 123 Saudi Riyals for each pilgrim, with an additional balance of ₦5.

He disclosed that the refund process would commence after the Asr (4 p.m.) prayer on Monday, beginning with pilgrims who arrived on the first flight.

The chairman added that pilgrims who wish to collect the outstanding ₦5 balance would receive it upon their return to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Kaduna State pilgrims have commended the Salihu S. Abubakar-led Special Hajj Committee for its transparency and accountability in the management of the Hajj operation and the affairs of the agency.