CSO appeals to Saudi Arabia over additional Hajj slots for Nigeria

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has appealed to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to reconsider its decision to decline Nigeria’s request for additional slots for the 2027 Hajj.

IHR, in a statement on Saturday signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, urged the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to reconsider its position and allocate additional Hajj slots as requested by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

NAHCON had on Thursday announced that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has declined Nigeria’s request for an upward review of its 2027 Hajj allocation, leaving the country’s quota unchanged despite growing demand from intending pilgrims nationwide.”

The commission said it had formally contacted the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to secure additional pilgrimage slots to accommodate the growing number of Nigerian Muslims interested in performing Hajj, as well as respond to requests for additional allocations from several state pilgrims’ welfare boards.

Until recently, Nigeria had the fifth-largest Hajj contingent, with an average allocation of about 95,000 slots.

IHR also urged the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, to use diplomatic channels to engage the appropriate authorities in Saudi Arabia and support NAHCON’s request for additional slots for Nigeria.

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It said thousands of Nigerian intending pilgrims were currently on the waiting list in anticipation of additional slots.

According to IHR, many of those on the waiting list might not have another opportunity to perform Hajj if they miss the 2027 pilgrimage.

“We are aware that one of the reasons for the reduction in the allocation of Nigeria’s quota was the inability of intending pilgrims to register on time, so the country was unable to use the quota in recent times.”

“However, due to the Ministry’s firm stance and the rededication of all Hajj stakeholders in the country to strictly enforce the calendar of activities established by NAHCON, the issue of early pilgrim registration and payments has greatly improved.”

The CSO said it understood the operational challenges faced in previous years as a result of poor adherence to some critical Hajj calendar dates, but noted that NAHCON had undergone structural and operational reforms.

“Though we understand the operational challenges faced in previous years due to a lack of adherence to some critical Hajj calendar dates, NAHCON has undergone positive structural operational reforms, resulting in the timely utilization of 2027 Hajj slots.”

IHR also said improved enlightenment among Nigerian pilgrims had helped to give intending pilgrims a clearer understanding of the requirements and expectations of Hajj.

“Furthermore, improved enlightenment among Nigerian pilgrims has succeeded in painting a true picture of what Hajj entails for the average intending pilgrim. As a result, our pilgrims now understand exactly what to expect while in the holy land, as well as how they should behave to maintain sanity and have little or no negative impact on current operational frameworks in Saudi Arabia,” the CSO stated.