The Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON) has refuted the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) assertion that international pilgrims benefited from the N90 billion federal government assistance during this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca.
In a statement issued following a NAHCON press conference, AHUON, represented by its National President, Abdullateef Yusuf Ekundayo, and National Secretary, Muhammad Nasil Chamo, characterized the Commission’s claims as misleading and emphasized the need to clarify the situation for the public.
The statement read: “It is important for Nigerians to understand that none of the international pilgrims received any part of the N90 billion subsidy, which was intended to alleviate the financial strain caused by high exchange rates. Despite multiple assurances from NAHCON regarding support for our pilgrims, no such benefits were realized.”
For the past eight years, excluding the post-COVID-19 Hajj, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj has allocated 20,000 slots for private tour operators, which AHUON represents, while granting 75,000 slots to conventional pilgrims. This year, approximately 14,000 pilgrims traveled through the international segment, yet AHUON reiterates that none of its members gained from the federal funds as claimed by NAHCON.
The Association also contested NAHCON’s account of how tent allocations were managed during the pilgrimage, particularly criticizing the treatment of Nigerian dignitaries at the VIP Tent ‘A’ in Mina. “NAHCON has tried to deflect blame onto our members for this unfortunate incident, portraying tour operators as the source of the failures,” the statement continued.
AHUON criticized NAHCON for unilaterally selecting service providers for the 2024 Hajj, including accommodations, meals, and transportation, without consulting the Association. “Despite having a viable alternative service provider backed by 85% of our members, NAHCON demanded unanimous support for any changes, a requirement that is impractical in a diverse organization,” they stated.
Regarding the Tent ‘A’ situation, the Association noted that under standard practices, its members typically procure VIP tent services for pilgrims through the Hajj E-track system. This year, however, only 27 companies officially purchased Tent ‘A’ services for 616 pilgrims through the portal. Allegations arose that NAHCON facilitated the creation of additional tents outside the official system, raising questions about the legitimacy of these arrangements.
AHUON challenged NAHCON to clarify the number of pilgrims who utilized Tent ‘A’ services and the origins of their visas and access permits. They also pointed out the $100 service charge collected by NAHCON for each pilgrim, totaling over N2 billion, questioning why these funds did not translate into adequate services for Nigerian pilgrims.
The Association expressed its determination to prevent further mismanagement and accountability failures, stating, “AHUON cannot stand by while an organization meant to uphold transparency and ethics undermines the rights of pilgrims to a seamless Hajj experience.”
AHUON urged the National Assembly to carry out a thorough investigation into the management of Hajj operations in Nigeria, beyond the superficial discussions presented in NAHCON’s recent press conference.
