A faith-based civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to establish a special committee to oversee Hadaya (animal sacrifice) payments for Nigerian pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj.
In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad, the group warned that persistent irregularities during the 2025 pilgrimage demand urgent reform. It described Hadaya – the obligatory animal sacrifice – as a recurring source of contention due to poor transparency and weak accountability.
According to IHR, the existing arrangement permitting Jaiz Bank to process Hadaya payments through an Islamic Development Bank-approved platform has failed to resolve the challenges. Many pilgrims still pay via state pilgrims’ welfare boards, creating tracking and delivery gaps, the group alleged.
While some states operate transparently, others were accused of diverting funds meant for the ritual, thereby depriving pilgrims of a core religious obligation. IHR also flagged inconsistent Hadaya charges across states, despite uniform Hajj fares tied to flight zones.
The group observed that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has integrated Hadaya into the central Hajj payment system – a step Nigeria has yet to fully adopt. That gap, IHR noted, leaves states managing the process with little standardisation.
To close the loophole, IHR urged NAHCON to form a dedicated committee to regulate payments, enforce uniform pricing, and ensure timely delivery of the sacrifice for every pilgrim. The group added that the move aligns with NAHCON’s broader push to strengthen oversight and accountability in the Hajj industry.
