By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organization dedicated to advocating for better policies and monitoring Hajj and Umrah activities, has urged the Nigerian Hajj operations community to select the best service providers for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
“We advise the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to develop a template for State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Private Hajj Operators to choose the best service providers who will offer excellent services to Nigerian pilgrims this year,” IHR said in a statement from Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, issued by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed.
IHR recognizes the challenges faced by NAHCON, particularly due to instability in its leadership. However, the organization believes the commission would benefit from considering long-term contracts with Saudi-based service providers.
IHR emphasized that this recommendation is increasingly important given the uncertainty in Hajj cost projections and the ongoing large-scale reconstruction and expansion projects in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
“Securing accommodation within a few kilometers of the Haram in Makkah is becoming highly competitive,” the organization stated.
“Agreeing to a three-year contract will save the Nigerian Hajj industry from the annual cycle of traveling to Saudi Arabia to search, negotiate, and sign contracts with service providers. This is particularly crucial since Hajj operations occur annually,” IHR added.
The CSO further explained that annually searching for service providers negatively impacts the quality of services because providers are uncertain about securing contracts or the number of pilgrims they will serve.
Providing services to thousands of pilgrims requires adequate time for planning and preparation, as well as a sense of certainty.
For instance, Malaysia recently signed a six-year contract with an airline and also a three-year agreement with its service providers in Masha’ir.
The Nigerian delegation is expected to sign contracts with Saudi companies in the coming days. “States and private companies should negotiate three-year contracts to reduce Hajj fares and create stability in Hajj management in Nigeria,” IHR concluded.
