The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has denied allegations of diverting 5,000 Hajj slots for the 2027 pilgrimage, describing the claims as unsubstantiated. In a report published recently, a newspaper alleged that private operators were demanding a probe into the diverted slots. NAHCON's Head of Information and Communications Division, Shafii Sani Mohammed, stated that stakeholders were free to seek clarification on Hajj administration issues but must support allegations of wrongdoing with evidence.
NAHCON is aware of a "coordinated and diversionary campaign" centered on allegations of Hajj slot diversion, but notes that no evidence has been presented to establish that the allocation of the disputed 5,000 slots breached Saudi Arabian Hajj regulations or NAHCON's guidelines. The commission questions the reliance on claims attributed to unnamed "Concerned Private Travel Operators," citing the anonymity of the sources as a credibility concern.
Nigeria's approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj is 50,000 slots, comprising 35,000 slots for states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and 15,000 slots for licensed private Hajj tour operators. The 15,000 private-sector slots were allocated to licensed tour operators under seven approved lead companies, in line with Nigerian regulatory requirements and Saudi Arabian guidelines.
NAHCON states that companies participating in the 2027 Hajj and Umrah operations are incorporated and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other relevant government agencies. They have undergone regulatory processes and obtained NAHCON licenses to operate as Hajj and Umrah tour operators. The commission stresses that licensed entities are subject to the same regulatory framework, compliance obligations, sanctions, and disciplinary measures as other operators.
The commission suggests that the controversy surrounding the allocation is largely commercial, driven by competition among operators for a limited number of Hajj slots. Changes in allocation structures, new entrants, and evolving arrangements can generate disagreements among operators whose commercial interests are affected.
NAHCON emphasizes that the immediate concern should be compliance with the highly digitized and time-sensitive requirements imposed by the Saudi authorities. The commission urges stakeholders to distinguish between verifiable facts and commercial grievances, and to consider its position on the matter based on its merits rather than allegations and insinuations.
The commission's position is that fairness demands consideration of its explanation, and that allegations and insinuations should not overshadow its position. NAHCON remains committed to transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements, as it prepares for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage.
Key points
- NAHCON denies allegations of diverting 5,000 Hajj slots for 2027.
- The commission urges stakeholders to seek evidence-based information.
- Nigeria's approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj is 50,000 slots.
