Engage best service providers, CSO urges NAHCON , State boards  

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organization that advocates for better policies, monitors, and reports on Hajj and Umrah activities, has advised the Nigerian Hajj operations  community  to  choose  the  right  service  providers  for  the  2025  Hajj  exercise.  

“We  advise  the  National  Hajj  Commission  of  Nigeria  (NAHCON)  to  create  a  template  for  State  Muslim  Pilgrims  Welfare  Boards  and  Private  Hajj  Operators  to  pick  the  best  service  providers  that  will  offer  excellent  services  to  Nigerian  pilgrims  this  year,”  

IHR  said  in  a  statement  from  Makkah,  Saudi  Arabia, on Sunday , by its  national  coordinator,  Ibrahim  Mohammed.  

IHR  acknowledges  the  challenges  being  faced  by  NAHCON,  owing  to  instability  in  its  leadership,  but  said  the  commission  would  be  better  off  if  it  considers  signing  a  long-term  contract  with  Saudi-based  service  providers.  

IHR  said  the  call  becomes  more  important  now  in  view  of  the  reality  of  uncertainties  in  Hajj  cost  projections  and  the  impact  of  the  ongoing  massive  reconstruction  and  expansion  projects  in  the  Holy  City  of  Makkah  and  Medina  in  Saudi  Arabia.  

‘Securing  accommodation  within  a  few  kilometers  from  Haram  in  Makkah  is  becoming  increasingly  competitive. 

“Agreeing to  a  3-year contract will save the Nigerian Hajj industry from the yearly ritual of going to Saudi Arabia to search, negotiate, and sign contracts with service providers,  year  contract  will  save  the  Nigerian  Hajj  Industry  from  the  yearly  rituals  of  comin especially  when  it  is  certain  that  Hajj  operations  are  a  yearly  affair,”  IHR  said.  

The CSO addedhat  searching  for  service  providers  on  a  yearly  basis  negativelyaffects  the  quality  of  services  offered  because  service  providers  are  not  sure  of  securing  contracts  or  how  many  pilgrims  they  are  expected  to  serve.  Serving thousands of pilgrims required adequate time for planning and preparation and also connoted certainty.  

For example, Malaysia recently signed a 6-year contract with an airline and also signed a 3-year agreement with its service providers in Masha’ir.  

The Nigerian delegation is expected to sign contracts with Saudi companies in a few days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

“States and private companies should negotiate 3-year contracts to reduce Hajj fares and create stability in Hajj management in Nigeria,” IHR  said.