By Jabiru Hassan
A faith-based civil society organisation, the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to adopt an exam-based and merit-driven approach for the appointment of Hajj officials.The group said the proposed reform would improve service delivery to Nigerian pilgrims and enhance transparency in the management of Hajj operations. It made the call on Tuesday in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad.According to IHR, the absence of a structured screening and assessment process for appointing Hajj officials at both state and national levels has continued to undermine the quality of support services provided to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. The organisation urged state pilgrim welfare boards to resist political interference and ensure that only qualified, trained, and competent individuals are selected as Hajj assistants. It warned against appointing untested political loyalists, describing such practices as counterproductive to effective pilgrimage management.
IHR noted that some officials appointed for the 2025 Hajj allegedly enjoyed the same services as pilgrims who paid as much as ₦8.5 million for the exercise, yet later protested over what they described as inadequate Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) while in Saudi Arabia.The group said such incidents highlight the need for stricter and more transparent selection criteria for Hajj officials, stressing that competence and commitment should take precedence over political considerations. It further warned that the controversies and embarrassment recorded during the 2025 Hajj must not be repeated, noting that Nigeria participates in the pilgrimage alongside over 162 countries worldwide.
According to IHR, negative conduct by poorly selected officials not only affects pilgrims’ welfare but also damages Nigeria’s image on the international stage during a highly sensitive religious exercise. Drawing from global best practices, the organisation cited Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, which conducts competitive examinations through the National Testing Service (NTS). The process reportedly includes written tests, interviews, and physical assessments to ensure that only qualified individuals are appointed as Hajj officials.
Similarly, IHR noted that Bangladesh operates a competency-based selection and training framework for Hajj officials. The system involves clearly defined criteria, annual quotas, and published timelines to guide recruitment and deployment.The civil society group said Nigeria could significantly improve its Hajj operations by adapting similar models that prioritise merit, accountability, and professionalism. IHR therefore urged NAHCON to introduce a formal examination-based screening process for the appointment of Hajj officials nationwide. It also recommended that successful candidates be required to sign formal undertakings.
According to the group, such undertakings should clearly spell out the duration of assignment, scope of duties, entitlements, and codes of conduct, to ensure discipline and effective service delivery to pilgrims.The organisation expressed optimism that implementing an exam-based appointment of Hajj officials would strengthen institutional credibility, reduce operational challenges, and enhance the overall Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
