By Haroon Ishola Balogun

A deep-seated rift has developed within the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) following the leadership’s decision to suspend all activities related to the 2025 Hajj preparations. The move, aimed at compelling the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to settle outstanding refunds totaling over N15 billion, has sparked widespread dissent among members within the association.

NAHCON owes AHUON members over N15 billion in refunds for services paid by pilgrims but not rendered, services paid for but poorly rendered, and tent security deposits from the 2022 Hajj to date. AHUON President AbdulLateef Ekundayo revealed that it is the practice of the Saudi Government to refund money to countries on these three grounds after each Hajj operation.

“Our members are being owed all these categories of money from the 2022 Hajj to date by the commission,” Ekundayo stated. “They confirmed in our meeting with them that they have received the sum of 20 million Saudi Riyals of such refund from the Saudi authority since December 2023.”

Ekundayo defended the suspension, citing the need to pressure NAHCON to address the association’s long-standing refund issues. “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that we write to issue this directive that all actions with respect to the Hajj 2025 preparation be suspended until further notice,” Ekundayo stated.

Members’ rebellion

However, many members have rejected the directive, questioning its unilateral nature and arguing that it does not reflect their views on the refund issue. A tour operator from the North, who preferred anonymity, revealed that out of 110 members, 50 agreed to roll over their fees, 30 wanted refunds, and 30 were undecided.

“I don’t know where and when AHUON took the decision to suspend preparations for Hajj. Yes, the commission is owing, but out of the 110 members, 50 agreed to roll over their fee, another 30 wanted a refund while the remaining 30 did not indicate where to go between the two decisions. So, since the majority decision is to roll over, why will they agree to suspend preparations?”

Another operator from Abuja criticized the policy of recognizing only 40 tour operators, citing lack of transparency and unfair preferences. “The issue of the 40 top operators where over 70 others queued behind with regard to the Saudi policy is not working well. Some of them were given preference over others. We are all the same. Some of us are even better than those top-listed 40,” the operator lamented.

“We really don’t have to kill a fly with a sledgehammer, we need to dialogue and resolve all the issues. I don’t think suspending preparations would be in the best interest of all members as well as the intending pilgrims.”

Ekundayo’s rebuttal

Ekundayo dismissed the dissenting voices, stating that the decision was made with the majority’s support. “We have the mandate of our members across the three zones of the country,” Ekundayo asserted. “That cannot be true as we have the mandate of our members across the three zones of the country; the campaign of calumny is being sponsored by officials of NAHCON to discredit the association. NAHCON cannot deny owing our members, and either collectively or individually, has NAHCON paid any of our members up till today? That’s the big question?” Ekundayo queried.

NAHCON’s response

NAHCON has urged AHUON not to derail the 2025 Hajj preparations. The commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Usara, emphasized the importance of open dialogue and collaboration to resolve issues without disrupting the Hajj process.

The rift within AHUON raises concerns about the impact on the 2025 Hajj preparations. With some members defying the leadership’s directive, the association’s unity and effectiveness are at risk. As tensions escalate, the fate of Nigerian pilgrims and the success of the 2025 Hajj operations hang in the balance.

Will AHUON’s leadership reconsider its stance and engage in dialogue with dissenting members? Will NAHCON resolve the refund issues and address the association’s concerns as quickly as possible? How will this development affect the 2025 Hajj preparations and Nigerian pilgrims? The answers to these questions will determine how AHUON prepares and executes the 2025 Hajj operations.