We’ve reconciled 2025 Hajj operational accounts — NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Tuesday dismissed reports suggesting that preparations for the 2026 Hajj are being delayed due to unresolved issues with the 2025 operational accounts.

This comes on the heels of a demand by the Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, urging the Hajj Commission to urgently reconcile the 2025 Hajj operational accounts before fully preparing for the 2026 operations.

The Commission’s Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Rabiu Na’Allah, stated that the Hajj body had, since Wednesday, 10 September, fully reconciled and settled all matters relating to pilgrims’ refunds from the 2025 Hajj.

Na’Allah further noted that 19 states, which requested reconciliation of pilgrims’ Hajj fare refunds, had been duly settled.

According to him, refunds from previous years had also been cleared, except in cases where some states were yet to formally initiate reconciliation with NAHCON.

The Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, while calling for reconciliation of the 2025 Hajj accounts through a letter signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Ahmed Idris Al-Makura and Abubakar Salihu, respectively, expressed concern over refunding pilgrims who participated in this year’s Hajj exercise and settling other dues.

While stating NAHCON’s commitment to carrying states along, the Forum asserted that many of the affected pilgrims had their funds tied up, which made it difficult for the state boards to transition deferred participants into the 2026 Hajj platform.

The Forum submitted that the reconciliation of the 2025 Hajj operational accounts ought to have been concluded to enable the states to seamlessly migrate the willing deferred intending pilgrims into the 2026 Hajj platforms.

According to the Forum, “Without this, such migrations practically remain impossible, as some of the affected pilgrims have had their money tied up for two years or more.

“Moreover, the refunds will enable states to settle those who opted out of deferment and require their funds for other personal use.”

The Forum further submitted that it was unwise to commence preparations for the 2026 Hajj without first closing the account for this year’s edition, asserting that “doing so could result in account overlaps, confusion, and reconciliation difficulties”.

Meanwhile, NAHCON stated that, having resolved the reconciliation of the 2025 Hajj accounts, it was now directing its focus on preparations for the 2026 Hajj.

It therefore emphasised that timely remittances by state pilgrims’ boards and tour operators would not only ensure Nigeria secured essential services in Makkah, Madinah, and the Mashā’ir (the holy sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah) but also safeguard the country’s full participation in next year’s pilgrimage, as well as guarantee improved comfort and dignity for pilgrims.

“With the matter resolved, NAHCON is now shifting focus to preparations for the 2026 Hajj. The Commission emphasised the importance of early payment of Hajj fares, in line with the operational calendar of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

“NAHCON therefore calls on State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and Licensed Tour Operators to remit Hajj fares promptly to avoid last-minute challenges.”

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