Abuja, Nigeria – A recent investigation by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee into the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has uncovered a series of irregularities and failures in the commission’s handling of the 2024 Hajj exercise. Chaired by Sada Soli, the member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency in Katsina State, the committee’s findings highlight significant issues including financial mismanagement, logistical inefficiencies, and poor communication with key stakeholders, particularly licensed tour operators.

The investigation, which began after a motion was sponsored by Mr. Omar Bio, representing Buruten/Kaima Federal Constituency in Kwara State, has led to the submission of a comprehensive report calling for wide-ranging reforms to prevent a recurrence of the issues that plagued this year’s Hajj operations.

The probe was launched following growing public dissatisfaction, particularly after the Bola Tinubu-led administration provided a N90 billion subsidy to support the Hajj exercise. This move, which aimed to ease the financial burden on pilgrims, was met with mixed reactions, especially considering the ongoing economic hardships exacerbated by the removal of the fuel subsidy. Critics contended that the funds could have been better utilized to address more pressing national challenges.

Despite the subsidy, state governors raised concerns about the operation of NAHCON, particularly regarding inadequate accommodation in Muna and insufficient Basic Travel Allowance for pilgrims. These issues ultimately led to the dismissal of NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Arabi, in August 2024, following his indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme. Arabi was replaced by Abdullahi Usman as part of efforts to restore credibility to the commission.

According to the committee’s report, a range of infractions were identified, with accommodation arrangements at Mina and Arafat being a key point of contention. Despite pilgrims paying high fees, the quality of accommodation was subpar, leading to overcrowding, particularly in Tent A, which was reserved for VIP pilgrims. These issues were exacerbated by a policy change by Saudi authorities, which limited the ability to upgrade accommodations through the e-track platform, leaving several high-profile pilgrims, including governors and traditional rulers, dissatisfied.

In addition to accommodation concerns, the report found serious communication gaps between NAHCON and licensed tour operators. There were allegations of discrepancies in the commission’s fee structure, with operators accusing NAHCON of imposing varying charges on private and state-sponsored pilgrims, further straining relations between the two entities. This lack of coordination led to service failures that directly impacted pilgrims, many of whom experienced delays and difficulties in transportation between Makkah, Mina, and Jeddah.

Financial mismanagement was also a major issue, with the committee revealing that despite pilgrims paying as much as N9 million each, there was no clear breakdown of the charges or justification for the high costs. The N90 billion subsidy was found to have been transferred to NAHCON’s offshore accounts in Saudi Arabia, but there was no tracking mechanism to verify how these funds were spent, raising serious concerns over accountability.

The report also pointed out significant failures in the Bilateral Air Agreement between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, which mandates that Saudi airlines airlift 50% of Nigerian pilgrims. This arrangement was seen as detrimental to Nigerian airlines, limiting their participation and undermining the local aviation industry.

In response to the report, the committee has recommended several reforms, including the establishment of a Hajj Tribunal to resolve disputes promptly, as well as a comprehensive audit of NAHCON’s financial operations to address the mismanagement issues. The committee also urged that a more transparent breakdown of Hajj fees be published and that the Personal Travel Allowance system be reviewed to ensure fair and equitable distribution to pilgrims.

The committee further called for a review of the Bilateral Air Agreement to safeguard Nigerian airlines’ interests and suggested stricter penalties for service providers who fail to meet their contractual obligations. Additionally, it recommended the creation of an independent complaints resolution mechanism for pilgrims to address grievances more efficiently.

While NAHCON has not officially responded to the full findings, Fatima Usara, the spokesperson for the commission, expressed the agency’s commitment to improving Hajj operations. In an interview with The PUNCH, Usara stated that she was yet to see the full report and could not confirm the committee’s findings but reiterated that NAHCON was dedicated to working with stakeholders to enhance the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.

The report’s findings underscore the need for urgent reforms within NAHCON and the broader Hajj operations framework, with many Nigerians calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of such a significant religious and national event.