Discontent is mounting among Nigerian travel agencies following the release of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) qualified operator list for the 2027 Hajj.

Dozens of disqualified firms are preparing formal petitions to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly, citing systemic irregularities, lack of transparency, and unfair exclusion during the screening process.

?Out of more than 230 applicants, approximately 140 were approved, leaving over 90 operators excluded without official explanations.

Affected operators, speaking on condition of anonymity, claim that fully compliant companies were omitted while others lacking requisite credentials—such as possessing two valid Umrah licenses—were approved.

Further allegations suggest late submissions were processed after official deadlines had passed.

?A central point of contention involves claims of coercion regarding vendor selection. Multiple operators allege their disqualification was retaliation for refusing to endorse NAHCON’s preferred Saudi service provider, "Rawaf Mina." Industry stakeholders warn that enforcing this selection without clear guidelines threatens financial collapse for independent firms, placing hundreds of travel agency employees at risk of job loss.

?Affected operators are demanding the immediate publication of the full qualification framework, including exact scoring metrics and specific grounds for each disqualification.

They are urging the Presidency and legislative oversight committees to audit the selection process to ensure administrative guidelines and governing board oversight were strictly maintained.

?Efforts to reach NAHCON for official comment were unsuccessful. Industry observers note that the commission's failure to maintain active public communication during critical administrative rollouts continues to fuel public distrust and deepen industry conflict.