The Kebbi State Government’s decision to approve a N10 billion loan to fund the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has sparked widespread criticism. Observers argue that, while schools, healthcare facilities, and essential infrastructure remain underfunded, the approval of a multi‑billion‑naira loan raises serious questions about governance priorities and the allocation of public resources.
Recent statistics highlight the state’s dire education challenges. Thousands of children in Kebbi struggle with basic literacy and numeracy, with 95 % of those aged 7–14 unable to read at the Primary 2 or 3 level. The 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey, cited by social commentator Sodiq Alabi, revealed that 89.4 % of adult women in the state are illiterate. Alabi argues that the state’s priorities are misaligned and that improving education and literacy rates should be paramount.
Political commentator Mahdi Shehu echoed this sentiment, describing the loan as a “misplaced priority” in a state grappling with severe poverty and infrastructural decay. Critics maintain that the decision underscores the urgent need to focus on education, poverty reduction, and basic infrastructure development rather than on additional Hajj seats.
In defense of the loan, the Kebbi State Government explained that it was necessary to secure 1,300 extra Hajj seats for its citizens and to meet the December 5 deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. Alhaji Faruku Aliyu‑Yaro, Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, called the loan a “decisive, compassionate, and people‑centred intervention” by Governor Nasir Idris.
The controversy has ignited a national debate about the allocation of public resources and the role of government in addressing citizens’ needs. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how the Kebbi State Government will respond to the criticism and tackle the pressing development challenges facing the state.
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