Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency Gets New Permanent Secretary
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA) has received a new Permanent Secretary following the posting of Alhaji Ibrahim Umar to the Agency by the State Government.
The posting, contained in an official circular on the redeployment of Permanent Secretaries (PS) in the state civil service, was signed by the Sokoto State Head of Civil Service, Abdulkadir Ahmad Muhammad.
This was disclosed by Faruku Umar, the Head of Information and Communications of the PWA. He explained that according to the circular, all affected officers are to report to their new duty posts with immediate effect, while handing-over notes are to be submitted to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for record purposes on or before Friday, 16 January 2026.
Umar added that the new PS is a seasoned administrator with extensive experience in Hajj operations and public sector management. He previously served as Director of Finance of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency from 2007 to 2011, and later as Director-General between 2015 and 2019.
He returned to the Agency in 2023 in the same capacity before being elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary and subsequently posted to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. His latest redeployment brings him back to the Pilgrims Welfare Agency as its Permanent Secretary.
Reacting to the development, the Management of the Agency described the posting as timely, noting that Alhaji Ibrahim Umar’s return would strengthen administrative stability and operational efficiency.
“He is a tested hand with deep institutional knowledge of Hajj administration and the workings of the Agency,” the Management said, adding that his appointment “reflects government’s confidence in experience-driven leadership.”
Staff of the Agency also expressed optimism that his tenure would consolidate ongoing reforms and enhance service delivery to intending pilgrims from the state.
The Agency congratulated Alhaji Ibrahim Umar on his posting and wished him a successful tenure as Permanent Secretary, assuring him of the cooperation of management and staff in the discharge of his duties.
