A Nigerian pilgrim, Hajiya Zainab from Plateau State, has been praised for her rare act of integrity after she returned $5,000 (approximately ₦8.2 million) to its rightful owner—a Russian pilgrim—at the Masjidul Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The Plateau State Pilgrims Welfare Board and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) commended Zainab for her honesty, describing it as a shining example of the values Nigerians should embody during the sacred pilgrimage.
In a statement on Wednesday, Executive Secretary of the Plateau Pilgrims Board, Daiyabu Dauda, lauded her conduct: “She demonstrated exceptional integrity and honesty by returning $5,000 she found in Masjidul Haram to its rightful owner. That’s a remarkable act of kindness.”
The incident has drawn widespread admiration and is being seen as a positive reflection on Nigeria’s contingent to the 2025 Hajj, which has otherwise been marked by operational challenges, including the absence of government-run clinics for pilgrims.
Meanwhile, NAHCON announced ongoing discussions with Saudi authorities to reopen visa processing for Nigerian pilgrims who are yet to travel. In a statement issued by Fatima Usara, Assistant Director of Information at NAHCON, the commission expressed optimism about a favourable outcome.
“There is optimism for a positive outcome, and when that is realised, the commission will immediately transport the registered pilgrims for the Hajj in another special arrangement,” Usara said, adding that relevant staff are already on standby.
As the pilgrimage progresses, Zainab’s selfless gesture serves as a reminder of the spiritual essence of Hajj—honesty, sacrifice, and moral uprightness.
