The Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has disclosed that the state has been allocated 1,631 seats for the 2026 hajj operations in Saudi Arabia.

Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Saadu Hassan, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Thursday.

He called on all intending pilgrims for the 2026 hajj to begin depositing their funds immediately, ahead of the official announcement of the final fare in October.

Hassan disclosed that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had allocated 1,631 seats to Gombe State for the forthcoming pilgrimage.

“The collection of deposits will begin immediately and will close on October 5, 2025. We urge all intending pilgrims to pay on time so that preparations can be made smoothly, in line with the directives of the Saudi authorities”, he said.

He explained that NAHCON had fixed the initial deposit for the 2026 hajj at ₦8.4 million, adding that the final fare would be announced in October.

He noted that early deposits were crucial to ensuring seamless arrangements.

The executive secretary emphasised that payments must only be made through Local Government Hajj Officers, Ja’iz Bank, and the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

According to him, early deposits would enable the board to secure accommodation, transportation, and feeding arrangements well in advance.

He added that preparations for the Hajj must strictly comply with timelines set by the Saudi authorities, “which can only be achieved through prompt contributions by intending pilgrims”.