NAHCON warns tour operators against derailing 2025 Hajj preparation

•Saudi Companies Take Over Feeding, Accommodation For Pilgrims

Following the directive by the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHOUN) instructing its members to suspend participation in the 2025 Hajj preparations, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has cautioned the organisation against derailing the 2025 hajj operations.

AHOUN on Friday announced the suspension of activities related to the 2025 hajj due to the failure of NAHCON to refund its members.

A statement by the President of AHOUN, Abdul Lateef Yusuff Ekundayo, said the decision was made after its NEC met with its Board of Trustees (BoT), agreeing that the action is necessary to ensure that all its requests before NAHCON are duly met, especially accumulated refunds.

But NAHCON’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, in a statement, on Friday, explained that the commission acknowledged the issues raised regarding accumulated refunds, stating that NAHCON has been in continuous communication with AHOUN on the matter and remains committed to addressing all legitimate concerns.

Usara blamed the delay in resolving the financial issues on the “complexities of Hajj operations, which involve multiple stakeholders both locally and internationally, including Saudi authorities.”

She assured AHOUN and the general public that the Commission has no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Companies of Pilgrims’ Establishments (Mu’assasa) will assume responsibility for feeding and accommodation for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah during the 2025 Hajj.

NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, disclosed this during a crucial meeting with Executive Secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards (MPWB).

He, however, said the policy would impact all countries participating in Hajj starting from the 2025 pilgrimage.

The development came despite clamour by the state governments to allow state pilgrims’ and welfare boards to provide food that Nigerians are used to.

In previous hajj exercises, Saudi companies often referred to as Mu’assasa took over feeding and accommodation of pilgrims while in the city of Muna during the five days period of the holy pilgrimage in 2022.

NAHCON’s spokesperson, Fatima Usara, in a statement, said: “A key highlight from the virtual discussion with MoHU was the announcement of a new initiative whereby the Saudi Companies of Pilgrims’ Establishments, known as Mu’assasa under the supervision of MoHU will assume responsibility for the feeding and accommodation of pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, similar to the current practices in Masha’ir.

“This policy, which impacts all countries participating in Hajj, will be implemented
starting with the 2025 pilgrimage. It is noteworthy that MoHU had previously proposed taking over feeding in Masha’ir in 2022, which was subsequently put into action that year.”

Elegushi reiterated NAHCON’s commitment to align with Saudi Arabia’s Hajj calendar, emphasising the need for cooperation among all stakeholders.

Chairman of the Forum of States (FoS) and Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Pilgrims’ Board, MalamIdrisAlmakura, commended NAHCON for its efforts, urging the Commission to sustain the tempo.