The Kebbi State Government’s decision to approve a ₦10 billion intervention to support intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj has reignited debate over fiscal priorities, coming weeks after the abduction of 25 students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga.

Governor Nasir Idris approved the fund after Kebbi faced a shortfall in payments for its allotted Hajj seats, following the December 6, 2025 deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The intervention is aimed at preventing the state from forfeiting its remaining slots and enabling the Pilgrims Welfare Agency to secure more than 1,000 additional seats.

The Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Yaro, said the number of fully paid pilgrims had dropped significantly this year due to economic pressures, particularly on farmers who make up about 60 per cent of intending pilgrims.

“Before the intervention, only about 2,000 intending pilgrims had completed their payments,” Yaro said, attributing the decline to falling food crop prices. “With the ₦10 billion support, we have opened a new window for more pilgrims to secure their Hajj seats.”

While religious stakeholders have welcomed the move, critics argue that the timing raises concerns, given the state’s security challenges. The recent school abduction highlighted ongoing insecurity in parts of Kebbi, making the scale of the Hajj support controversial when set against security spending.

On December 16, Governor Idris signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦642.9 billion into law. Under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, a total capital allocation of ₦20.18 billion was proposed.

The largest single item in the security budget is ₦8.4 billion for the purchase of 70 Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles, accounting for over 40 per cent of the ministry’s capital expenditure. Other allocations include ₦5.4 billion for security facilities, ₦1.15 billion for CCTV and digital cameras, ₦980 million for furnishing an international fusion centre at the DSS headquarters, and ₦750 million for 500 motorcycles for security agencies.

In comparison, the ₦10 billion Hajj intervention exceeds the state’s biggest individual security investment and represents about half of the total capital budget for internal security.

The decision has further drawn scrutiny due to Kebbi’s limited internally generated revenue. Data from Statisense show that the state generated approximately ₦16.97 billion in IGR in 2024, meaning the Hajj support alone is close to 60 per cent of a full year’s internally generated income.

Supporters of the government maintain that the intervention is a temporary measure to cushion economic hardship and safeguard Kebbi’s Hajj allocation. Critics, however, argue that dedicating such a large sum to religious travel amid persistent insecurity and constrained revenues reflects misplaced priorities.

The controversy underscores broader questions about balancing social spending with security investment, particularly as public perception weighs the scale of the Hajj support against the state’s ongoing struggle with insecurity.