The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has come under severe scrutiny following a report by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the 2024 Hajj exercise. The committee has indicted the Commission for multiple infractions, including financial mismanagement, inadequate accommodation for pilgrims, and a lack of transparency, particularly in the disbursement of the ₦90 billion federal subsidy allocated for the exercise.
The committee, chaired by Sada Soli, the member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency in Katsina State, has made several recommendations aimed at improving the operations of NAHCON and preventing similar issues in future Hajj operations. The findings of the investigation were presented to the House of Representatives, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presiding over the plenary session where the report was discussed.
In May 2024, the Bola Tinubu-led administration approved a ₦90 billion subsidy for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, a decision that sparked widespread debate among Nigerians. While the subsidy was intended to ease the financial burden on pilgrims, many critics felt that it was misplaced, particularly given the ongoing economic challenges exacerbated by the removal of the fuel subsidy. Critics argued that the funds should have been directed toward addressing more pressing national issues, such as infrastructure development and social services.
The House of Representatives responded to the public outcry by setting up an ad hoc committee to investigate the operations of NAHCON and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Board. The investigation aimed to scrutinize the handling of the Hajj exercise, particularly regarding the management of the ₦90 billion subsidy and the overall quality of services provided to pilgrims.
The ad hoc committee’s investigation uncovered several serious deficiencies in the management of the Hajj exercise. One of the most glaring issues was the financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in how the ₦90 billion subsidy was distributed. Despite pilgrims paying as much as ₦9 million each, there was no clear breakdown of the charges or justification for the high costs, raising concerns about the fairness and accountability of the process.
The report revealed that some pilgrims benefited more from the subsidy than others, with no clear criteria for how the funds were allocated. The committee found that the financial handling of the Hajj operation lacked transparency, leaving many stakeholders, including pilgrims and tour operators, frustrated and dissatisfied.
Another major issue raised by the committee was the inadequate accommodation provided to Nigerian pilgrims, particularly in the holy sites of Mina and Arafat. Despite the high fees paid by pilgrims, the accommodation in these areas was substandard, with overcrowding in tents, particularly in the VIP Tent (Tent A), which was supposed to cater to high-profile pilgrims such as governors and traditional rulers.
The overcrowding was worsened by a new policy from Saudi Arabia that prevented upgrades on the e-track platform, which was used to manage the accommodation. This led to discomfort and distress among many pilgrims, particularly those who had paid premium rates for better accommodation.
In addition to the issues in Mina and Arafat, the committee found that the overall quality of accommodation across the pilgrimage sites was below expectations. Many pilgrims, despite paying high fees, were housed in substandard facilities that did not meet the standards promised by NAHCON and its licensed tour operators.
The investigation also highlighted a breakdown in the relationship between NAHCON and licensed tour operators. Tour operators, who are responsible for organizing the logistics of the pilgrimage, raised concerns about discrepancies in NAHCON’s fee structure. They claimed that private operators were being charged higher fees compared to state-sponsored pilgrims, creating an unfair advantage for some pilgrims over others.
The strained relationship between NAHCON and the tour operators was further compounded by poor communication and mutual distrust. Tour operators complained that they were excluded from key policy decisions, which left them unable to properly plan and coordinate their services. This lack of coordination resulted in numerous service failures, which ultimately impacted the experience of pilgrims.
Following the rising dissatisfaction with the handling of the 2024 Hajj exercise, state governors and other stakeholders voiced their concerns about NAHCON’s performance. The governors, in particular, criticized the commission for its mismanagement of accommodation and the inadequate Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) for pilgrims. They argued that the federal subsidy was not being used effectively, and that many pilgrims were left dissatisfied with the services they received.
In response to these growing concerns, President Bola Tinubu took decisive action. In August 2024, he relieved the Chairman of NAHCON, Jalal Arabi, of his duties and appointed Abdullahi Usman as the new chairman. This decision came shortly after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicted Arabi and the Commission’s Secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, in connection with an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme. The EFCC’s investigation added further fuel to the fire, amplifying public calls for a thorough review of NAHCON’s operations.
In the wake of these developments, the House of Representatives committee has called for significant reforms to the Hajj process in Nigeria. The committee’s report recommended a thorough restructuring of NAHCON to improve financial transparency, enhance coordination with licensed tour operators, and ensure that pilgrims receive the services they pay for.
The committee also emphasized the need for clearer guidelines on the allocation of subsidies and the fees charged to pilgrims. It called for a transparent breakdown of costs and urged NAHCON to work closely with tour operators to ensure that all pilgrims, regardless of whether they are state-sponsored or private, receive equal treatment and fair pricing.
The committee’s report has already sparked conversations among policymakers, religious leaders, and citizens about the future of the Hajj pilgrimage in Nigeria. Many are calling for a more efficient and transparent system that ensures that public funds are used wisely and that pilgrims receive the services they deserve.
