NAHCON Rejects Alleged Diversion of 5,000 Hajj 2027 Slots

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has dismissed claims that 5,000 Hajj slots for the 2027 pilgrimage have been diverted. The commission describes the allegations as unfounded and urges stakeholders to differentiate between verified facts and speculation. This comes in response to a report by THISDAY Newspaper titled "Hajj 2027: Private Operators Demand Probe of Diverted 5,000 Slots" and concerns raised by private Hajj tour operators.

According to NAHCON, the approved allocation for the 2027 Hajj is 50,000 slots, with 35,000 for states and FCT and 15,000 for private tour operators. The 15,000 private slots were allocated to licensed operators under seven approved lead companies, in line with Nigerian regulations and Saudi Arabian guidelines. NAHCON maintains that the operators involved have the necessary registrations and are subject to the same regulations as all licensed Hajj operators.

The commission also notes that the controversy could have commercial motives due to limited Hajj slots and the competitive nature of the market. NAHCON emphasized the need for operators to comply with Saudi Arabia's digital registration requirements, which are set by the Saudi authorities and not NAHCON. Operators who fail to meet the September 26, 2026 deadline for uploading biometric information will face consequences.

NAHCON warned about deliberate misinformation that could mislead pilgrims and undermine confidence in Hajj administration, threatening sanctions for non-compliant operators. The commission advised pilgrims to verify their enrollment status and ensure their biometric and registration details are uploaded before the deadline. NAHCON emphasized the importance of addressing concerns through documentary evidence, regulatory compliance, and established dispute-resolution mechanisms, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of Nigerian pilgrims.