Inthe light of delays in announcing the commencement of pilgrims’ registration by some State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR)—a faith-based civil society organization dedicated to reporting on and monitoring Hajj and Umrah activities—calls on State Governors to prioritize Hajj matters within their jurisdictions.
“As of the time of this press statement, Niger, Sokoto, and Borno States have yet to initiate the registration process, despite receiving directives from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in August to begin registration,” said IHR.
“We are aware that certain Executive Secretaries of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have not submitted their 2024 Hajj reports to their Governors, resulting in their inability to obtain approval to commence pilgrims’ registration,” IHR’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, stated on Wednesday.
The organization also expressed concern over the failure of some states to start registration, particularly as they are expected to remit the first tranche of pilgrims’ deposits to NAHCON, which was due to begin on October 2 (as outlined in the NAHCON 2025 Hajj calendar) for subsequent transfer to Saudi-based service providers for Tent Spaces in Mina.
“It is troubling that State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards require separate approval from their State Governors to initiate pilgrims’ registration, even after receiving permission from the apex Hajj regulatory body. This represents a procedural challenge that necessitates immediate attention within the Hajj industry,” IHR emphasized.
IHR further noted that on October 23, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj began allocating tent spaces to participating countries that have completed their payments.
“Any Executive Secretary of a State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board who has not submitted their 2024 Hajj report four months post-Hajj should be removed and replaced with a more competent individual,” the organization asserted.
The IHR also reminded State Governors that delays in initiating pilgrims’ registration contribute significantly to the inadequate services experienced by Nigerian pilgrims each year in Saudi Arabia.
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“Late registration leads to late remittances of pilgrims’ registration funds to NAHCON, which hampers the commission’s ability to timely disburse payments to Saudi-based service providers, thereby impacting their preparations to offer efficient services to our pilgrims.”
The IHR highlighted that “State administrative bureaucracies are causing serious disruptions in the implementation of the Hajj calendar. It is imperative to reconsider the NAHCON Establishment Act 2006 to allow pilgrims from states to start registration early, without awaiting approval from state chief executives.”
“Hajj is a global event, with over 162 participating countries expected to adhere to a standardized calendar released annually by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, which serves as a roadmap for pre-Hajj preparations,” concluded IHR.
