Sokoto PWA Begins 2027 Hajj Registration, Fixes N7.7m Deposit, Praises Gov Aliyu’s Support

Sokoto PWA Begins 2027 Hajj Registration, Fixes N7.7m Deposit, Praises Gov Aliyu’s Support

From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), has commenced sales and registration for the 2027 Hajj operations, with a deposit of N7,700,000 fixed per pilgrim pending the final fare announcement by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON.

The Chairman of the Agency, Alhaji Aliyu Musa, disclosed this on Monday while speaking to newsmen in Sokoto.

Alhaji Musa particularly extolled the invaluable moral and financial support of Gov. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto towards ensuring the success of the activities of the agency as well as bolstering the smooth conduct of Hajj operations.

He said the Saudi authorities had directed NAHCON to commence registration for 2027 Hajj immediately after the 2025 exercise, and the Sokoto State Government has directed the PWA to begin in earnest.

Musa said Sokoto State has been allocated 2,773 Hajj seats for 2027, and the slots have already been distributed to the 23 Local Government registration offices for onward sales.

“We have gone far in registration and remittances. This is not business as usual.

“We are calling on intending pilgrims to meet the deadline because the government has assured us there will be no extension this year,” the PWA Chairman said.

According to him, the deadline for payment of the N7.7m deposit is 26th September 2026.

“We asked all intending pilgrims to pay N7,700,000 as part payment pending the outcome of the tentative Hajj fare from NAHCON,” he stated.

The PWA Chairman warned against registration by proxy and use of unauthorized channels, noting Sokoto’s peculiar challenge of pilgrims from Niger Republic using proxy means for over two decades.

To curb this, he said, the agency has introduced a “Guarantor’s Form” which must be completed by a district head, village head, or other recognized authority.

“No pilgrim should go to Hajj without a guarantor. The guarantor must also submit his National ID and the form must be signed by the Local Government Hajj Officer, Immigration Officer, and LGA Chairman” Musa explained.

He urged intending pilgrims to deposit payments only into dedicated accounts provided by the PWA and the State Government to avoid fraud.

Alhaji Musa said the agency is working with designated banks to promote the Hajj Savings Scheme and that more banks have indicated interest in joining.

He also confirmed that NAHCON had recognized Sokoto State with an award for excellent conduct during the 2026 Hajj operations following an independent assessment.

“It is a morale booster for us. Insha’Allah we will do better in 2027,” he said.

“The Sokoto State Government under Gov. Ahmed Aliyu is 100 per cent committed. It takes over the whole exercise from beginning to the end

“Whatever we bring forward to the; Governor, he approved it. So far, so good, the government is completely in charge,” he added.

Musa further called on all intending pilgrims to comply with the extant directives and ensure they register before the 26th September deadline.