By Abubakar Yakubu, Abuja
It seems the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has learned from its mistakes during the preparation for the 2024 Hajj and is being more proactive in ensuring the success of the 2025 Hajj. However, despite their best efforts, controversies continue to arise, though they are quickly resolved.
In the early stages of last year’s Hajj preparations, the commission faced a crisis when intending pilgrims, who had already completed the payment of N4.9 million for their fare in February, were asked to pay an additional N1.9 million just a month later or forfeit their opportunity to perform the Hajj. This sparked a standoff between the commission, some state governments, and numerous pilgrims who couldn’t afford the extra cost.
In the end, the federal government stepped in to support the pilgrims, providing NAHCON with a N90 billion subsidy to ensure the operation’s success. Afterward, the government removed the commission’s chairman, Jalal Arabi, and secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, handing them over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation over alleged mismanagement of the Hajj subsidy.
This time, under the leadership of Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the commission has vowed not to overcharge intending pilgrims. They’ve introduced a ‘Hajj Saving Scheme’ in collaboration with Jaiz Bank, Taj Bank, Alternative Bank, and Lotus Bank, allowing prospective pilgrims to save for their pilgrimage gradually. This scheme enables individuals to make regular, interest-free contributions to a dedicated account until they have accumulated enough funds.
The scheme not only eases the financial burden of Hajj payments but also promotes financial discipline.
In addition, the commission has established a more effective communication process, keeping stakeholders informed and involved in decision-making.
When it became necessary to extend the registration deadline for the 2025 Hajj, NAHCON consulted with key Hajj stakeholders via a Zoom meeting on the night of Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Following the meeting, the deadline was extended to February 10, ensuring that state welfare boards could catch up on their registration processes.
In a statement released that night, Fatima S. Usara, NAHCON’s assistant director of information and publications, explained that the extension followed appeals from intending pilgrims who had been unable to complete their registration on time. She noted that the chairman urged the executive secretaries of state pilgrims’ welfare boards to cooperate with NAHCON to ensure the timely transfer of funds, which is crucial for securing accommodations that have already been inspected and booked.
Usara further clarified that Saudi Arabia had set February 14 as the deadline for contract signings, meaning all payments had to be transferred to the designated IBAN account in Saudi Arabia before that date to be recognised on the e-track (Nusuk Masar) registration portal.
During the Zoom meeting, the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, proposed that pilgrims, who could afford the Hajj fare, excluding the $500 Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), proceed with their payments while sourcing the BTA separately. He also noted that some pilgrims were short by N200,000, preventing them from completing their payments despite having the required amount for the Hajj fare.
Another key issue discussed was the CBN’s proposal to disburse BTA via credit cards. This initiative was met with opposition, as many participants expressed concerns about the hardship it could cause for pilgrims.
The extension of the registration deadline was welcomed by the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards across the country, who quickly announced the new registration date to ensure orderliness.
Before the deadline expired, NAHCON had secured 52,544 spaces for state pilgrims’ camps and reserved 16,263 slots for tour operators in Saudi Arabia. Usara disclosed that the commission had paid upfront on behalf of the states’ pilgrims’ boards and private tour operators to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims would not miss out.
She further revealed that, under a new contract, the projected number of pilgrims would be split between two service providers. “Mashariq Al-Dhahabiah would cater to 26,287 pilgrims, while Ekram Deif would accommodate 26,257 Nigerian pilgrims, who were expected to complete their registration soon,” she explained.
Usara also disclosed that Rawaf Mina was expected to confirm the availability of 100 VIP tents. “NAHCON has reserved 16,263 spaces for tour operators to process after remittances. Of these, 1,447 VIP slots will be processed through Ithraa Al Joud, while Rawaf Mina will supply 35 VIP camps for processing,” she informed.
This brings the total expected VIP spaces for the private sector to 1,482, pending pilgrim payments. The Tour Operator’s Tent ‘D’ at Rawaf Mina has reserved 14,413 spaces, which will be allocated after remittances, while Ithraa Al Joud will provide an additional 1,850.
Shortly after the announcement of an additional service provider in Saudi Arabia, the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, and Commissions, through its Secretary Abubakar Salihu, raised concerns that the commission’s alleged cancellation of the Masha’ir contract might prevent thousands of Nigerian pilgrims from performing the 2025 Hajj.
NAHCON’s chairman swiftly denied these claims, explaining that the cancellation of the contract with Saudi Arabia’s Masha’ir Companies was due to actions taken by the Saudi government, which had initially approved the contract but later canceled it for a second time.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure the right thing is done and in full compliance with the laws,” he assured, stressing that no intending pilgrim would miss the Hajj.
Further clarifying the situation, NAHCON spokesperson, Muhammad Ahmad Musa explained that during a pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia on January 17, the commission had entered into an agreement with Mashariq Al-Dhahabia to provide ground and Masha’ir services for Nigerian pilgrims. However, after Mashariq was deactivated from the Nusuk platform by the relevant Saudi authorities, NAHCON decided to supplement their services by engaging an additional provider.
Musa emphasised that this proactive decision was made to meet strict Saudi deadlines and ensure uninterrupted service despite subsequent corrective actions by Mashariq Al-Dhahabia.
According to him, the platform was later reactivated but the commission could not afford to risk the welfare of over 52,000 intending pilgrims to preventable excuses during the pilgrimage and decided to supplement Mashariq’s services with an additional provider.
“Despite subsequent corrective actions by Mashariq al Dhahabia, NAHCON’s proactive decision to engage a supplementary provider was driven by the need to meet stringent Saudi deadlines and to ensure uninterrupted service,” he stated.
Our reporter learnt that Mashariq Al Dhahabia was not happy with the inclusion of a second provider and sought for a meeting with the Hajj commission, which took place in Abuja last week and led to the signing of an amended contract between Mashariq Al Dhahabia and NAHCON.
Speaking shortly after signing the amended agreement with a delegation of the Saudi company, NAHCON’s chairman noted that with the amended agreement, Mashariq Al Dhahabia would no longer cater for 95,000 intending Nigerian pilgrims as earlier agreed upon, but for 52,000 pilgrims that the commission anticipates would partake in the exercise.
He said the amendment to the earlier agreement was necessitated by the fact that Nigeria could not utilise all the 95,000 slots allocated to it by the Saudi authorities for this year’s Hajj.
Also speaking, Mashariq Al Dhahabia’s Chief Executive Officer, Muhammad Hassan, said the meeting between his company and NAHCON was aimed at improving the relationship between the two entities and that both parties engaged in strategies that would best serve Nigerian pilgrims, leading to settling all contractual agreements.
In the days following the resolution of the contract issue, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) called on NAHCON to refund N400,000 to each of the 26,287 confirmed intending pilgrims for the difference in exchange rates used to calculate the Hajj fare.
The IHR claimed that the Hajj fare, which had been set at over N8 million, was based on a dollar exchange rate of N1600, whereas the actual exchange rate in mid-February was N1,507, resulting in a discrepancy of N93 to each dollar. This, they said, meant that each pilgrim should be refunded an average of N437,000.
In response, NAHCON acknowledged the concerns raised by IHR but clarified that refunds, if applicable, are typically processed after Hajj operations to allow for proper financial reconciliation and to ensure that all necessary expenses for the pilgrimage are fully covered.
Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum praised NAHCON for its proactive efforts to ensure a successful 2025 Hajj. He pledged to encourage collaboration among the North-East Governors Forum and other state governors to support NAHCON’s efforts.
Zulum also highlighted the management of VIP spaces as a key challenge faced last year, advising the commission to ensure equitable distribution of VIP slots to states that formally request them. In response, the commission’s chairman assured the governor that a significant number of VIP slots had already been secured for this year’s Hajj exercise.