By Abdullahi Yusuf

The House of Representatives has adopted the report of its ad-hoc committee investigating the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, following allegations of poor treatment of Nigerian pilgrims during the 2024 pilgrimage.

The report, presented by committee chairman Sada Soli during a plenary session, has prompted the lawmakers to advocate for sweeping changes in the administration of Hajj services, including the creation of a Hajj Tribunal to adjudicate contract breaches, financial disputes, and service failures involving NAHCON, tour operators, and pilgrims.

Beyond service failures, the House has directed the Auditor General of the Federation to conduct a full-scale audit of the N90 billion federal subsidy allocated to NAHCON. This move follows growing concerns about transparency in Hajj fund management, with lawmakers pushing for a more accountable and equitable system.

In response to discrepancies in Hajj charges, the House has mandated NAHCON to publish a detailed breakdown of all fees to ensure fairness and uniformity. This measure aims to eliminate hidden charges and provide greater clarity for pilgrims on what they are paying for. Additionally, the House has recommended the establishment of a Pilgrims’ Complaints and Resolution Unit, tasked with addressing grievances related to accommodation, feeding, transportation, and other services.

Acknowledging the financial challenges faced by Nigerian pilgrims, lawmakers have called for an increase in the Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) from the current $500 to a more sustainable amount. Moreover, in a bid to tackle complaints about poor accommodation, the House has instructed NAHCON to decentralize accommodation management, granting more autonomy to state pilgrims’ welfare boards and private tour operators to negotiate lodging costs independently.

In a notable directive with economic implications, the House has called for a review and renegotiation of Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Agreement with Saudi Arabia. Lawmakers criticized the arrangement that grants Saudi-owned airlines the right to airlift 50% of Nigerian pilgrims, arguing that it disadvantages local airlines despite their proven capacity to handle such operations.

The House has also resolved to amend the NAHCON Act to clearly separate its regulatory and operational roles. This restructuring aims to ensure that NAHCON focuses solely on oversight and policy enforcement, while service delivery is handled by independent stakeholders.

With these resolutions, the House of Representatives is signaling a decisive push toward increased accountability, transparency, and efficiency in Nigeria’s Hajj operations. The establishment of a Hajj Tribunal and the scrutiny of NAHCON’s finances could mark the beginning of a new era, one in which Nigerian pilgrims receive the services and support they deserve.