The Bauchi State Government has confirmed the death of Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who passed away while performing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Jalam died in the early hours of Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Al-Noor Hospital in Makkah after a sudden illness reportedly linked to heart-related complications. State officials said he had been managing high blood pressure prior to travelling for the pilgrimage.
A respected civil servant and holder of the traditional title Turakin Dawakin Misau, Jalam was part of the Bauchi State contingent participating in the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
According to officials coordinating the exercise in Saudi Arabia, Jalam had initially fallen ill shortly after arriving in the holy land. He was first treated at a medical facility in Madinah before his condition worsened, prompting an emergency transfer to intensive care in Makkah, where he later died at about 2:00 a.m. Saudi time.
Beyond his official duties, Jalam played key roles in the administration of the state’s pilgrimage operations. He served as Chairman of the Information and Publicity Committee and Secretary of the Feeding Committee for the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, helping coordinate logistics and welfare arrangements for hundreds of pilgrims.
A fellow official, Alhaji Sabiu Barau Ningi, described the late permanent secretary as deeply committed to ensuring the smooth movement and accommodation of pilgrims arriving from Madinah, noting that he worked up until the arrival of the final batch.
“He worked tirelessly until the arrival of the last batch of pilgrims,” Ningi said. “All rooms were allocated successfully under his guidance. He remained committed to service until his final moments.”
The news of his death has triggered widespread mourning across Bauchi State’s civil service and traditional institutions. Governor Bala Mohammed, in a condolence message issued through his media aide Mukhtar Gidado, described Jalam as a dedicated and loyal public servant whose death is a significant loss to the state.
“Until his death, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam was a hardworking public servant who devoted his life to the service of Bauchi State,” the statement read.
The governor extended condolences to Jalam’s family, colleagues, and the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils, praying for Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
In line with Islamic tradition and Hajj protocols, Jalam was buried in Makkah following funeral rites conducted after the Zuhr prayer at Masjid al-Haram. Thousands of worshippers, including members of the Bauchi delegation and international pilgrims, participated in the Janazah prayers.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and Saudi authorities coordinated the burial arrangements in accordance with procedures for pilgrims who die within the holy sites.
