The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO) monitoring Hajj and Umrah activities, has called on state governors to address the delays in commencing pilgrims’ registration for Hajj 2025. The CSO raised concerns that several states, including Niger, Sokoto, and Borno, have yet to begin registration, despite receiving directives from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in August 2024.
In a statement released by IHR’s National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, on Wednesday, it was noted that some Executive Secretaries of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have not submitted their 2024 Hajj reports to their respective governors. As a result, these states have not received the necessary approvals from their governors to begin the registration process.
The delay in registration is becoming a concern, especially as states were expected to remit the first tranche of pilgrims’ deposits to NAHCON by October 2, according to the 2025 Hajj calendar. These funds are essential for securing tent spaces in Mina and making timely payments to Saudi-based service providers.
IHR criticized the bureaucratic procedures that require state governors’ approval before registration can commence, even after NAHCON’s directive. The CSO emphasized that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj began allocating tent spaces to participating countries on October 23, 2024, making prompt registration crucial for Nigerian pilgrims.
The statement also recommended that any Executive Secretary who fails to submit the 2024 Hajj report four months after the event should be replaced with a more competent official. IHR stressed that delays in registration lead to late remittances, which, in turn, cause poor services for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
The CSO called for a review of the NAHCON Establishment Act 2006, allowing pilgrims’ registration to begin early without waiting for the approval of state governors. IHR reminded stakeholders that Hajj is a global event, with over 162 countries required to follow a uniform calendar provided by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, and urged Nigeria to align with this schedule to ensure better services for its pilgrims.