By Jabiru Hassan, Kano
The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO) that monitors Hajj and Umrah activities, has urged state governors to prioritize Hajj-related issues, particularly the delay in starting pilgrims’ registration by some States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies.
In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of IHR, Ibrahim Mohammed, on Wednesday, the CSO expressed concern that states like Niger, Sokoto, and Borno have yet to commence the registration process, despite directives from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in August for states to begin registration.
“We are aware that some Executive Secretaries of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards have not submitted their 2024 Hajj reports to their governors. As a result, they have not received approval from their chief executives to start pilgrims’ registration,” the statement noted.
IHR also highlighted that, according to the NAHCON 2025 Hajj calendar, states were expected to remit the first tranche of pilgrims’ deposits starting October 2. These funds are essential for making payments to Saudi-based service providers for tent spaces in Mina. The CSO expressed concern that delays in registration could affect this process.
“The requirement for separate approval from state governors, even after receiving permission from NAHCON, represents a procedural challenge that needs immediate resolution within the Hajj industry,” IHR stated.
The CSO pointed out that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj had already begun allocating tent spaces to participating countries that had made payments as of October 23. They called for the replacement of any Executive Secretary who has not submitted the 2024 Hajj report, four months after the completion of the pilgrimage.
IHR also stressed that delays in starting pilgrims’ registration are a key factor contributing to the poor services experienced by Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia each year.
“Late registration results in delayed remittance of funds to NAHCON, which hampers the commission’s ability to pay Saudi service providers on time. This prevents them from making adequate preparations for Nigerian pilgrims,” the statement explained.
The CSO urged state governors to address administrative bureaucracies that disrupt the Hajj calendar. It called for amendments to the NAHCON Establishment Act of 2006, allowing states to begin early registration without waiting for approval from state executives.
“Hajj is a global event, with over 162 participating countries expected to follow a uniform calendar issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. It is essential for Nigeria to adhere to this schedule to ensure efficient pre-Hajj preparations,” IHR concluded.
