Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based Civil Society Organisation that advocates for better policies, monitors, and reports on Hajj and Umrah activities, has advised the Nigerian Hajj operations community, including the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the state pilgrims welfare boards to choose the right service providers for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
The CSO stated in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, from Makkah, Saudi Arabia, made available to Nigerian Tribune in Abuja that considering the instability in NAHCON leadership, the commission would be better off if it considered signing a long-term contract with Saudi-based service providers.
“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 stated.
According to the CSO, the call became 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.
It noted that with this, securing accommodation close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah is becoming competitive, adding that signing three-year contracts with the service providers would save the country from the annual rituals of searching for suitable providers and signing contracts with them.
“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 rituals of coming to Saudi Arabia to search, negotiate and sign contracts with service providers, especially when it is certain that Hajj operations are a yearly affair,” IHR advised.
It added that searching for service providers on a yearly basis negatively affects the quality of services offered because service providers are not sure of securing contracts or how many pilgrims they are expected to serve.
The IHR asserted that serving thousands of pilgrims required adequate time for planning and preparation and also connoted certainty.
Citing Malaysia as an example, the CSO noted that the country recently signed a six-year contract with an airline and also signed a three-year agreement with its service providers in Masha’ir (holy sites of Muna, Arafat, and Muzdalifah).
It then advised that as the Nigerian delegation currently in Saudi Arabia is expected to sign contracts with Saudi companies in a few days, “States and private companies should negotiate 3-year contracts to reduce Hajj fares and create stability in Hajj management in Nigeria.”
