Kaduna State's pilgrims are getting money back. The Pilgrims Welfare Agency began distributing refunds on Monday.
Each pilgrim will receive 123 Saudi Riyals as a forex differential payment. Malam Salihu S Abubakar, the agency's Executive Chairman, announced the development after afternoon prayers.
He addressed pilgrims at their residence in Ibrahim Khalil. Salihu explained how the refund amount was calculated.
According to him, the National Hajj Commission pegged the $500 Basic Traveling Allowance at N1,143 per dollar. At that rate, the total came to N571,500 per pilgrim.
But the naira strengthened before pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia. When the airlift happened, one dollar exchanged for N1,350.74.
This meant the $500 allowance reduced to N675,370 per pilgrim. The difference amounted to N46,130 for each person.
Salihu noted that the agency then converted this balance at N375 per Saudi Riyal. The calculation yielded exactly 123 Riyals per pilgrim.
A small remainder of N5 remained after the conversion. Those who want it will collect this balance in Nigeria upon return.
Distribution started Monday after the 4pm prayer, Salihu confirmed. Pilgrims who arrived on the first flight got priority.
Governor Uba Sani's spokesman, Malam Ibraheem Musa, released details of the announcement. Officials credited transparency in managing hajj operations.
Pilgrims praised Salihu and his committee for the accountability shown. Many expressed satisfaction with how the agency handled financial matters.
The refund reflects how currency fluctuations affected the hajj exercise. Kaduna's administration moved quickly to return the differential to pilgrims.
