By Abdulfattah Abdussalam 

…The only recognized entity to execute pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah on behalf of Nigeria Government and her people is the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and not the Association of Secretaries and Chairmen of Muslim Pilgrims’ welfare Boards, nor the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), or its splinter group the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Union, HUTOUA …At this juncture, one may want to ask a pertinent question. Under which Nigerian Laws do these groups operate? Why is it difficult for NAHCON to control their actions and why are they challenging NAHCON’s authority?…

One of the fundamentals of Islam is pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia. Since the institutionalization of the Hajj exercise, mankind has not found any other assemblage that equals the assembly of Muslims from across the globe on Mount Arafah and the stay in Mina. Its spirituality is profound and preparation for it is dynamic. People who perform Hajj and Umrah are guests of Allah and are to be accorded with dignity, treated in a superlative manner and extended courtesies befitting. The seriousness attached to the preparations for the trip and duties performed while in the Holy Lands perhaps accounts for why governments of various nations get involved in the entire process and organize such under international best practices and international diplomacy. The government of the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in 1955, in the old western State of Nigeria started Nigerian Government involvements till date. Governmental involvement in Nigeria has evolved over time and culminated in the establishment of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Thus, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, remains the confluence point of all Hajj operations in Nigeria. It superintends various states pilgrims’ welfare boards, and private operators to ensure their Hajj activities conform to the rules and regulations of Hajj operations, as pronounced by Saudi Arabia authorities on Hajj and Umrah. NAHCON is the sole regulatory body recognized by the Government of Saudi Arabia for overseeing the allocation of Hajj quotas, the issuance of visas, and the provision of services for Nigerian pilgrims. These pilgrims are prepared for the sacred journey by State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and private travel agencies, in accordance with NAHCON’s policies and Saudi regulations, which are ultimately subject to the discretion of Saudi Hajj authorities.

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The Act establishing the Commission, NAHCON Establishment Act 2006, stipulates that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) shall: license, regulate, supervise and perform oversight functions over organizations, associations (corporate or non-corporate) or similar bodies engaged in 1 organizing and coordinating the movement of persons from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj or Umrah. 2 It shall engage in providing accommodation, transportation and other services related to the performance of the Hajj and Umrah to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Liaise and co-ordinate with the appropriate government authorities or organs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the rules and regulations governing entry into and staying in Saudi Arabia for the purposes of Hajj and Umrah including all appropriate immigration, passport and related consular services. Coordinate the provision of health, financial, security, customs, immigration and related services to persons proceeding to or returning from, Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj or Umrah. Ensure the establishment and management of pilgrims’ camps and related facilities, equipment and such other necessary materials. Establish and maintain a biometric data bank of all Nigerian intending pilgrims for the Hajj and Umrah: Conduct educative and enlightenment campaigns, on Hajj and Umrah, in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory: Appoint such number of medical practitioners and medical staff as it deems fit. Issue guidelines and rules that will ensure that States Pilgrims Welfare Agencies provide appropriate welfare services and guides for pilgrims: Regulate and control in and/or outside Nigeria all matters concerning the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims and to formulate policies in connection therewith.

The Establishment Act 2006 of the Commission also affirms that NAHCON can undertake any other activities that are conducive or incidental to the discharge of its functions, provided such actions do not confer additional powers beyond what is stipulated. Paradoxically, these functions are important and enshrined in the laws of the Federation. However, they are also the very reasons why certain forces, both within and outside the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), are in conflict with the commission. As a result, NAHCON’s activities are constantly jeopardized, forcing the commission to endure significant challenges in countering these opposing forces throughout the year, particularly during Hajj periods. Over time, these forces have consistently deployed their skills, willpower, and a network of loyalists in an attempt to derail the Commission from achieving its entrenched objectives. The past two years have been particularly challenging in the annals of the organization. During this period, internal and external pressures led to the dissolution of the 4th board, headed by Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan, and the removal of the 5th board chairman, Malam Jalal Arabi, within a spate of eight months with ignominy. Their activities exposed the Commission to the scrutiny of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and brought the Chief of Staff of the President, Honourable Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila CFR on a fact-finding mission to the Commission. These unfortunate situations are unprecedented in the history of the Commission. Similarly the Commission witnessed resignation of some of her tested hands and continuous harassment/ invitation of her officials to the offices of EFCC and ICPC.

The last two years also witnessed backlashes from Nigeria Media spaces scattered in prints, broadcast, social media and human rumour mills. Suddenly, NAHCON has become the epicenter of a campaign to discredit Nigerian Muslims and a source of sensational news for some journalists, content creators, and comedians. It also witnessed staff revolt of different dimension, thus allowing the forces to be undermining the commission for their own interests. Their interest is primarily self-aggrandizement, selfishness, and tarnishing the commission’s leadership.

Hajj is International in practice and the largest assemblage of human beings on Earth. Its uniqueness makes it a Life Time Experience for the host country, the pilgrims and the officials of the countries participating. It is widely acknowledged that Hajj preparation follows a strict timeline as often released with changes by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Government of Saudi Arabia with the direct supervision of the custodian of the two Holy Mosques of Islam, His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud CTHM; (Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques). Similarly it is conducted under bilateral agreements with governments of participating countries and nations. Unlike Umrah, which is classified as minor consular matters and individually The only recognized entity to execute pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah on behalf of Nigeria Government and her people is the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and not the Association of Secretaries and Chairmen of Muslim Pilgrims’ welfare Boards, nor the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), or its splinter group the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Union. HUTOUA biased, Hajj is organized strictly under international diplomacy. An infraction in the exercise have consequences for Governments of erring nation, which may include ban, fines, reduction in quota allotment and reprimands. is not recognized by the government of Saudi Arabia or its Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Unfortunately, in these three entities there are individuals who are inconsistent, whose actions are inimical to the interest of the National Commission and Nigerian pilgrims. Their actions most times put NAHCON in trouble, and often it carries the can of their mess. Sometimes these individuals’ actions and inactions demonstrate hatred, vengeance, and character assassination, premeditated action to discredit the Management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and cause unnecessary public opprobrium. Often NAHCON is rebuked for offenses they are not involved in. As an average watcher of Hajj activities in Nigeria, one is left to say these three groups recognized by NAHCON should be better regulated. The Act establishing NAHCON, gives it authority and instruments to handle the black sheep in the Hajj industry.

At this juncture, one may want to ask pertinent questions. Under which Nigerian Laws do these groups operate? Why is it difficult for NAHCON to control their actions? and why are they challenging NAHCON’s authority?. It will suffice to say little about their centrifugal activities. The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) often want to control Hajj administration, bypassing NAHCON. Some individuals among them, in the leadership cadre, will want to bypass NAHCON and want to deal directly with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. In 2024 Hajj operations, some of them travelled to Saudi Arabia and approached the Ministry to pay directly to the Ministry in order to be admitted on the NUSUK Platform. Only to be told it was not possible the payment must come through NAHCON. Before, they could recourse to NAHCON, the timeline for payment elapsed and many of their pilgrims could not get the visa, yet they turned around and blamed NAHCON. In 2023 Hajj operations, NAHCON licensed seven airlines for both passenger and cargo services. Out of these seven airlines ARIK AIR and VALUE JET Airlines were designated for Private Tour operators, but at the commencement of the airlifting, VALUE-JET posted a no-show because the leadership of AHOUN chose only ARIK AIR, excluding Value Jet. This put pressure on ARIK AIR, which was overwhelmed by transporting 20,000 pilgrims. On the two-legged trips out and in-bounds, ARIK Airline’s performance was poor, causing discomfort to the pilgrims. The stranded pilgrims were made to believe it was NAHCON’s fault. AHOUN cleverly turned round to blame NAHCON. At a stage in the preparation for the current Hajj operation, some individuals in AHOUN became a source of conflict. In actual fact, some threatened and eventually wrote to withdraw their participation from the 2025 Hajj operations and returned their allocations. Earlier for a number of days some AHUON members held NAHCON to ransom on matters that was occasioned by Saudi Arabia directives on the merger of the tour operators to ten Mega Tour operators for effective coordination. Some members of AHOUN accused NAHCON of favoritism in the selection of the ten mega tour operators, an allegation, which after investigation proved not to be true.