By Ahmad Muazu
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) held a critical meeting with licensed Hajj tour operators to address key matters concerning the 2025 Hajj.
Chaired by the Commissioner of Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, the meeting focused on several operational issues aimed at improving the Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.
One of the primary outcomes of the meeting was the announcement of a reduction in the caution deposit for tour operators, decreasing from N50 million to N40 million. This reduction is part of NAHCON’s effort to ease the financial burden on operators.
Additionally, the commission granted an extension to the registration deadline for the 2025 Hajj by one week, providing operators more time to meet the necessary requirements.
Prince Elegushi also shared updates from the Saudi Arabian authorities, revealing that the number of lead companies coordinating Hajj operations had been reduced from 40 to 20 for the 2025 season. This change will affect the operational framework for the pilgrimage, and tour operators were urged to prepare for the adjustment.
Another key issue discussed was the ongoing effort to secure refunds for unrendered services during previous Hajj seasons. The Commissioner assured operators that NAHCON has escalated its request for these refunds and advised any company seeking a refund of their caution deposit to formally write to the commission.
Regarding bank guarantees, Prince Elegushi emphasized that NAHCON is developing policies in line with international best practices to ensure that the welfare of pilgrims is protected, reducing risks for both operators and pilgrims.
On the issue of Umrah, the Commissioner revealed that NAHCON had reached out to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to address concerns related to Umrah services. The Saudi ministry has promised to look into the matter, and NAHCON is set to send a high-powered delegation to Saudi Arabia to further discuss these concerns and seek resolutions.
The meeting concluded with a robust question-and-answer session, where Prince Elegushi addressed the concerns raised by tour operators and reiterated NAHCON’s commitment to enhancing the experience for all Nigerian pilgrims.