Kebbi State Government’s approval of a N10 billion loan to fund the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has drawn national criticism, as experts question the state’s development priorities amid alarming literacy and poverty levels.

While thousands of children in Kebbi struggle with basic literacy and numeracy, Governor Nasir Idris’ administration moved to secure additional Hajj seats for residents, prompting sharp reactions from social commentators and civil society groups.

Sodiq Alabi, a social commentator, revealed that 95% of children aged 7–14 cannot read at Primary 2 or 3 level, and 94% cannot solve basic mathematics at the same level, citing the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). He added that 89.4% of adult women are illiterate, with another 6.4% able to read only part of a sentence.

“But at least the governor is providing loans for Hajj,” Alabi noted, highlighting what he called a misalignment of state priorities.

Political commentator Mahdi Shehu condemned the move as a “misplaced priority” in a state grappling with severe poverty and decaying infrastructure. Posting on X, he wrote:

“In a state where poverty is at 75%, over 2 million children are out of school, hospitals and schools are dilapidated, roads are poor, clean drinking water is lacking, gratuities are unpaid, youth unemployment is high, and essential drugs are unavailable, this is pure madness.”

Critics argue that while schools, healthcare facilities, and essential infrastructure remain underfunded, approving a multi-billion-naira Hajj loan raises serious questions about governance and resource allocation.

The Kebbi State Government, however, defended the loan, stating it was necessary to secure 1,300 additional Hajj seats for residents and meet the December 5 deadline set by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Yaro, Chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, described the loan as a “decisive, compassionate, and people-centred intervention” by Governor Idris, warning that without it, the state risked losing hundreds of Hajj seats.

While the state frames the loan as a religious and humanitarian measure, critics insist it underscores the urgent need to prioritize education, poverty reduction, and basic infrastructure development in Kebbi State.