The crisis within the National Hajj Commission has intensified as the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria threatens to withdraw from the 2025 Hajj preparations over the alleged seizure of N2.75 billion by the commission.
The travel agents, under AHUON, expressed their dissatisfaction in a communiqué signed by the association’s National President, Abdullateef Ekundayo, and released by spokesperson Minsurat Akinbode-Ajayi
They criticized NAHCON’s recent call for agents to commence registration for the 2025 Hajj, highlighting unresolved financial disputes from previous years.
At the center of the conflict is the N2.75 billion deposited by 110 agents during the 2024 Hajj operations, which AHUON claims NAHCON has yet to refund. The agents also accused the commission of withholding an additional N1 billion from 200 agents’ initial deposits during the 2023 Hajj, along with unaccounted-for service charges taken from pilgrims.
These allegations, coupled with the mismanagement of a N90 billion intervention fund under former Chairman Jalal Arabi, contributed to his removal after anti-corruption authorities intervened.
Despite AHUON’s formal appeal to the new NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Usman, for the closure of the 2024 operation accounts, the agents say they have yet to receive any refunds.
In response, AHUON has called for the suspension of the 2025 Hajj bidding process until all outstanding funds are refunded and financial accounts reconciled. During an emergency meeting of the association’s northern zone, about 50 members endorsed the call to withdraw from NAHCON’s 2025 plans unless their demands are met.
“We, the undersigned members of AHUON in the northern zone, collectively agree not to respond to the 2025 Hajj advert issued by NAHCON until the full refund of all previous outstanding caution deposits and resolution of other financial issues,” the zone’s resolution stated.
Vice President of the northern zone, Haruna Ismail, confirmed the region’s support for the national body’s stance, indicating that similar resolutions will soon be adopted by the association’s Abuja and Lagos zones.
Efforts to obtain a response from NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Usara were unsuccessful, as repeated calls and messages went unanswered.
The situation has raised concerns about the smooth execution of the 2025 Hajj operations, with the travel agents’ boycott posing a significant challenge to NAHCON’s plans.
