NAHCON dismisses alleged 5,000 Hajj slot diversion

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has warned licensed private Hajj tour operators against spreading misinformation regarding the allocation of slots for the 2027 Hajj.

In a statement signed by its Head of Information and Publications Division, Shafii Mohammed, NAHCON described allegations of the diversion of 5,000 Hajj slots as completely unfounded.

The commission was reacting to a report published on Friday titled, “Hajj 2027: Private Operators Demand Probe of Diverted 5,000 Slots.”

It noted that critics had presented no evidence to demonstrate that the slot allocation violated Saudi Arabian regulations or the commission’s internal guidelines.

The commission explained that Nigeria’s approved quota of 50,000 slots comprises 35,000 allocated to state boards and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside 15,000 reserved for duly licensed private operators under seven approved lead companies.

It urged aggrieved operators to rely on facts, established regulations, and dispute-resolution channels rather than anonymous allegations.

“The commission is aware of a coordinated and diversionary campaign built around entirely unfounded allegations of Hajj slot diversion.

“Rather than presenting evidence of wrongdoing, the allegations appear designed to shift attention away from the inability of certain operators to comply with the strict regulatory requirements, timelines, and digital upload obligations established by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the 2027 Hajj,” the statement read.

He added, “It is noteworthy that the report itself is built almost entirely on claims made by unnamed individuals described as Concerned Private Travel Operators, and readers are not informed who these operators are.”

The spokesperson stressed that despite the sensational nature of the report, no documentation had been produced to establish any breach.

He stated, “At no point has it been demonstrated that the allocation of the disputed 5,000 slots violated Saudi Arabian Hajj regulations, NAHCON guidelines, or any policy governing Hajj operations in Nigeria.

“The concerns raised are largely framed around perceptions and commercial grievances rather than documented breaches of established rules or procedures.

“Indeed, the report itself acknowledges that NAHCON provided a clear explanation regarding the allocation process. The commission clarified that Nigeria’s approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj is 50,000 slots, comprising 35,000 slots for the states and the Federal Capital Territory and 15,000 slots for duly licensed private Hajj tour operators.”

Mohammed maintained that the 15,000 private-sector slots were properly distributed among licensed operators functioning under seven approved lead entities in compliance with Nigerian and Saudi rules.

He emphasised that all participating companies were registered, licensed, and fully subject to regulatory sanctions where defaults occur.

Highlighting the immediate task facing operators, the commission pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk-Masar digital portal closes irrevocably on September 26, 2026.

“The Saudi authorities have made it explicitly clear that the digital gateway for uploading prospective pilgrims’ biometric and registration data closes irrevocably on September 26, 2026. This deadline is a directive of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and not of NAHCON. The commission has no authority whatsoever to extend it by even a minute.

“Unfortunately, rather than expediting the registration of their clients, uploading biometric information, and remitting funds within the stipulated timelines, some operators have chosen to devote considerable energy to fabricating conspiracy theories and promoting narratives intended to conceal their own operational deficiencies,” the statement read.

NAHCON warned that it would not hesitate to impose stiff penalties—including licence revocation, suspension, and blacklisting—on defaulting tour operators.

It also advised prospective pilgrims registered through private travel agencies to confirm that their biometric and registration details are successfully uploaded before the September 26 deadline.

The commission noted that high-stakes commercial interests often trigger public campaigns, lobbying, and media pressure to overturn administrative actions, but insisted that resistance to regulatory reform must not be mistaken for evidence of illegality.