By Andrew Haruna
Date: April 2, 2025
Abuja, Nigeria – The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over the 2024 Hajj exercise has found the commission guilty of several infractions, including financial mismanagement, logistical failures, and lack of transparency.
Chaired by Hon. Sada Soli, representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency in Katsina State, the committee submitted its report with recommendations to prevent a repeat of these issues in future Hajj operations.
Background of the Investigation
The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, set up the ad hoc committee on July 14, 2024, following a motion by Hon. Omar Bio of Buruten/Kaima Federal Constituency, Kwara State. The committee was tasked with probing NAHCON and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Board over complaints surrounding the 2024 Hajj.
Despite the N90 billion subsidy provided by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in May 2024 to ease the financial burden on pilgrims, the Hajj exercise was marred by dissatisfaction and operational lapses. Critics argued that the subsidy should have been prioritized for other pressing national issues, especially in light of the economic hardship triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies.
Findings of the Committee
The investigative panel uncovered multiple infractions within NAHCON, including:
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Poor Accommodation Arrangements: Many pilgrims, despite paying premium fees, were housed in substandard facilities in Muna and Arafat. Tent allocations were inadequate, leaving pilgrims, including state governors and traditional rulers, stranded in overcrowded VIP tents due to Saudi Arabia’s new policy barring e-track upgrades.
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Financial Mismanagement & Lack of Transparency: Pilgrims were charged as much as N9 million each, yet no clear breakdown of costs was provided. Additionally, the N90 billion subsidy was distributed without transparency, with some pilgrims benefiting more than others under unclear criteria.
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Disputes with Licensed Tour Operators: The committee uncovered friction between NAHCON and private Hajj tour operators, who accused the commission of discriminatory fee structures and lack of inclusion in policy decisions. The absence of coordination between NAHCON and private operators led to major service failures.
EFCC Investigation & Leadership Shake-up
The fallout from NAHCON’s mismanagement led to President Tinubu sacking NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Arabi, in August 2024, replacing him with Abdullahi Usman. This came shortly after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicted Arabi and NAHCON’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, for their alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme linked to the Hajj exercise.
Recommendations for Reform
The committee has called for sweeping reforms to ensure better management of future Hajj operations. These include:
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A transparent breakdown of fees charged to pilgrims.
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Stronger oversight of NAHCON’s financial transactions, particularly in subsidy allocations.
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Greater involvement of licensed tour operators in key decision-making processes.
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Improved accommodation planning to prevent overcrowding and discomfort for pilgrims.
With these revelations, pressure is mounting on the Federal Government to hold those responsible accountable and implement reforms that will restore public confidence in Nigeria’s Hajj administration.
