By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society organization that monitors, reports on, and advocates for transparency in Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah industry, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to establish a special committee to monitor the disbursement of refunds to about 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj exercise.
The CSO emphasized that this call is crucial due to the controversies that typically surround refunds to pilgrims from the country.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, IHR stated, “We are aware that refunds have been disbursed to State Pilgrim Boards, agencies, and Private Tour Operators for onward payment to their respective pilgrims from the 2023 Hajj.”
NAHCON had previously announced that each pilgrim who participated in the 2023 Hajj would receive a refund of 150 Saudi Riyals after the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reimbursed the commission for services inadequately provided to the pilgrims.
Additionally, the commission revealed that Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2022 Hajj under Private Hajj Operators would receive a refund of SR62,602 (approximately N27 million) from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for “poor feeding” in Mina during that year.
“We also urge NAHCON to publicly disclose details of the refund process as a demonstration of transparency and accountability. This is essential for restoring the confidence of the public and intending pilgrims in the system,” IHR said.
The CSO called for specific details to be made public, including the amount released to NAHCON by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, how much has been distributed or is due to State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, the number of affected pilgrims, and the names of private tour operators entitled to the refunds.
IHR further recommended that NAHCON compel State Muslim Pilgrims Boards and private tour operators to provide lists of pilgrims entitled to refunds and to monitor the process to ensure the refunds reach the rightful recipients.
“While we commend the Chairman and his Commissioners for approving the refunds, we urge the Commission to implement a process that guarantees the refunds are properly distributed to the 2023 Hajj pilgrims,” IHR added.
Furthermore, the CSO announced that it would form a small committee of veteran journalists to monitor the refund process and provide ongoing updates via IHR’s platforms and social media channels.
IHR also pledged to collaborate with NAHCON and other stakeholders to promote transparency and advocate for an efficient Hajj management system in Nigeria.
