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.. Commission says Nigeria’s 50,000 slots include 35,000 for States, FCTs and 15,000 for licensed private operators
Daud Olatunji
Nigeria’s National Hajj Commission has rejected allegations that 5,000 seats approved for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage were diverted, describing the claim as unfounded and urging stakeholders to rely on verifiable documents rather than speculation.
NAHCON, in a statement released on Saturday, said the dispute appears to have arisen from competition between private Hajj operators over the allocation of a limited number of seats for the pilgrimage.
The Commission challenged those who made the allegations to produce documentary evidence showing that the disputed slots were allocated in violation of Nigerian regulations or requirements set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
He also questioned the identity of the people behind the allegations, noting that the allegations were largely attributed to unnamed “concerned private travel operators.”
According to the Commission, the lack of disclosed identities made it difficult to establish whether authorized operators, unsuccessful applicants, competing businesses or stakeholders affected by the changes in the allocation framework were behind the allegations.
NAHCON said: “Despite the sensational nature of the allegations, no evidence has been presented to establish that any lawlessness occurred.”
The Commission explained that Nigeria’s approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj is 50,000 slots, comprising 35,000 for states and the Federal Capital Territory and 15,000 for duly authorized private Hajj tour operators.
It said the 15,000 private sector slots have been allocated to licensed operators working for seven approved leading companies, in accordance with Nigerian regulatory requirements and Saudi guidelines.
NAHCON added that companies participating in the 2027 Hajj and Umrah operations have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and other relevant government agencies and have undergone the necessary regulatory processes.
The operators, he said, had also obtained NAHCON licenses to conduct Hajj and Umrah operations for the 2027 season.
The Commission underlined that authorized operators remain subject to the same regulatory requirements, sanctions and disciplinary measures applicable to other operators in the sector.
NAHCON said adjustments to allocation agreements, entry of new operators and competition for limited slots could naturally generate disagreements among industry operators.
Beyond the allocation controversy, the Commission drew attention to the September 26, 2026 deadline set by Saudi authorities to upload biometric and registration data of potential pilgrims to the Nusuk-Masar platform.
The deadline was imposed by the Saudi authorities and cannot be extended by NAHCON.
The Commission has therefore advised operators to give priority to registration of their customers, biometric uploads and remittance of required funds before closure of the portal.
He warned that operators who do not upload their customers’ data or fulfill their contractual obligations within the stipulated period will be responsible for the consequences.
NAHCON said non-compliant operators could face regulatory measures, including suspension or revocation of licenses and possible blacklisting from future Hajj operations.
Pilgrims were told to check their registration
The Commission also urged premium pilgrims who registered through private travel agencies to urgently confirm their registration status.
He advised pilgrims to ensure that their biometric and registration information has been successfully uploaded to the Saudi platform before the September 26 deadline.
NAHCON said genuine complaints regarding slot allocation should be submitted through documentary evidence, applicable regulations and established dispute resolution channels.
It argued that allegations of diversion, manipulation or impropriety would remain unfounded unless credible evidence was presented to demonstrate a violation of government regulations.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness in the administration of the Hajj, saying that the well-being of Nigerian pilgrims remains central to its regulatory responsibilities.
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