NAHCON: Saudi Arabia will take charge of feeding, accommodation of pilgrims from 2025

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says Saudi Arabia authorities will take over the feeding and accommodation of hajj pilgrims in Makkah and Medina from 2025.

In a statement on Friday, Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s spokesperson, said the agreement was reached during a virtual meeting between the commission and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).

Usara also noted that the commission held a preparatory meeting with the Executive Secretaries (ES) of the State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards (MPWB), chaired by Anofi Elegushi, NAHCON commissioner of operations, on September 23.

Usara quoted Elegushi as saying that Saudi Companies of Pilgrims’ Establishments, known as mu’assasa, would oversee the feeding and accommodation of pilgrims in Makkah and Medina from 2025, under the supervision of MoHU.

“This policy, which will affect all countries participating in Hajj, will commence with the 2025 pilgrimage,” he said.

He further added that MoHU had first proposed taking over feeding in Masha’ir in 2022 and implemented the change that same year.

Elegushi reaffirmed NAHCON’s commitment to aligning with the Saudi hajj calendar and called for cooperation from all stakeholders involved in the pilgrimage.

Idris Almakura, chairperson of the Forum of States (FoS), praised NAHCON for its ongoing efforts and urged the commission to maintain its current momentum.

Almakura raised several concerns, including the hajj savings scheme, the policy for the national medical team, and the pending refunds for pilgrims.

In response, Elegushi commended the executive secretaries for their proactive approach in announcing the minimum hajj deposits and advised them to collect letters regarding slot allocations and the 2025 Hajj licence.

He said the commission is awaiting action from Saudi authorities before processing unresolved refunds from the 2024 Hajj.

DERAILING HAJJ PREPARATIONS

NAHCON has expressed concerns over the directive from the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators in Nigeria (AHOUN) to its members to suspend their involvement in preparations for Hajj 2025.

In a statement on Friday, Abdullateef Ekundayo, AHOUN’s spokesperson, said the directive was necessary to “ensure that all our requests before NAHCON are duly met, especially our accumulated refund over the years”.

In response, Usara noted that the commission acknowledges issues with accumulated refunds and remains committed to addressing all valid concerns.

She said the delay in resolving the refunds is due to “the complex nature of Hajj operations, involving multiple stakeholders locally and internationally, including the Saudi authorities”.

“NAHCON wishes to reassure AHOUN and the general public that the commission has no intention of downplaying or neglecting the issue of refunds,” she said.

“On 24th September 2024, NAHCON communicated to AHOUN the importance of adhering to the Saudi Hajj calendar to avoid disruption to the 2025 Hajj preparations, a stance it continues to uphold as crucial.

“The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently directed that only 20 lead companies would handle Hajj arrangements from Nigeria for better coordination and effective regulation.

“In response, NAHCON agreed to mergers and consolidations, allowing all interested operators to remain in business while prioritising the satisfaction of pilgrims.

“NAHCON remains open to further discussions with AHOUN to resolve any outstanding concerns and work towards a prompt solution.

“In the meantime, NAHCON urges AHOUN’s leadership and members to allow ongoing efforts to produce the intended outcomes without hindering the timely planning of the 2025 Hajj operations.

“This would benefit all parties involved, as Arafat will occur as scheduled, regardless of AHOUN’s stance.

“NAHCON continues to welcome discussions.”