The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organization (CSO) focused on monitoring and reporting Hajj and Umrah activities, has advised the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee on Muslim Pilgrims Affairs to pause its investigation into the 2024 Hajj operations. IHR argues that the Executive Secretaries of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards need an undistracted focus on organizing the 2025 Hajj.
In a statement signed by IHR’s national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, the organization acknowledged the legislature’s authority to oversee state agencies, especially given some challenges observed during the 2024 Hajj. “We respect the legislative power to scrutinize state agencies’ activities, and we understand that there were operational issues this year. However, the 2024 Hajj saw service improvements over previous years, except for isolated incidents, such as complaints by VIP clients at Tent A,” Muhammed stated.
IHR further clarified that the committee’s investigation seems to center on alleged mismanagement of a substantial N90 billion government fund by the former chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and other financial irregularities. According to IHR, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies are already looking into these issues, and both leaders implicated in the financial management issues have since been removed from their posts.
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IHR expressed concern that a concurrent investigation by the House committee would divert critical resources and attention from preparations for the 2025 Hajj. “Inviting officials to Abuja during this busy planning period poses a risk to the ongoing Hajj registration and logistical arrangements for 2025,” they argued, adding that committee members who attended the 2024 Hajj should already have insight into the operational challenges, many of which affected Hajj pilgrims worldwide.
The CSO also pointed out that the timing of the committee’s actions has led to wasted time and resources. Executive Secretaries from across the states were initially summoned to Abuja for a November 4 hearing, only to learn the session had been rescheduled to November 12 after their arrival. This has resulted in unnecessary expenses and logistical issues amid an economic downturn,” Muhammed said.
IHR urges the committee to reconsider the timing of its inquiries and allow the relevant Hajj officials to focus on ensuring a smooth experience for Nigerian pilgrims in 2025.
