NAHCON Boss Under Fire as VP Shettima Receives Petition Over Hajj Refunds
Barely a month to the 2025 Hajj airlift, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is in crisis, as eight non-permanent board members have petitioned Vice President Kashim Shettima, accusing the commission’s chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, of misconduct, lack of transparency, and excluding commissioners from key decisions.
In a petition dated March 13 and seen by Daily Trust, the commissioners—representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and two major Islamic bodies, NSCIA and JNI—said they were excluded from critical oversight functions such as pre-Hajj visits, selection of service providers, and fare negotiations.
“We were completely left out of key pre-hajj arrangements and forced to source for our own tickets without any administrative support,” one of the petitioners, Professor Muhammad Umaru Ndagi, told Daily Trust.
They said the exclusion violated the commission’s enabling Act.
“The chairman and his executive team do not see us beyond our personal names. Our zonal responsibilities are constantly ignored,” alleged Dr. Tajudeen Abefe Oladejo, who represents the South-West.
The commissioners said they were not consulted before the 2025 Hajj fare was announced.
“The fare was made public before the board was briefed. A Zoom meeting was only convened to ratify it after we raised alarm. This undermines due process,” said Hajiya Aishat Obi from the South-East.
They also accused the chairman of financial control without consultation and noted that procurement matters had never been brought before the board since its inauguration.
“Not one procurement issue has been brought before us. This goes against both the spirit and the letter of the NAHCON Act,” stated Professor Musa Inuwa Fodio of JNI.
They rejected claims that NAHCON could only hold four meetings a year.
“We’ve reviewed the law and found no such limitation. It’s merely a policy excuse to silence us,” said Alhaji Abba Jato of the North-East.
The petition follows an earlier protest letter from NAHCON’s staff union over poor welfare and favoritism, which the commission denied. Critics say the internal divisions could affect Hajj preparations.
“Our silence would have been a betrayal of Allah, the Federal Government, and our conscience,” the petition stated.
Three Hajj tour operators have withdrawn from the 2025 exercise, accusing NAHCON of forcing them to use substandard Saudi service providers.
“We don’t get to decide the services or providers, yet we are held responsible for the poor experiences of our clients,” said Usman A. Ambursa, CEO of Travel Express Ltd.
The operators said pilgrims were mistreated in Muna, Arafah, and Muzdalifah during past pilgrimages, and that refunds were withheld despite reimbursements from Saudi companies.
“Where is the 1.173 million Saudi Riyals refund from 2022 and 2023? We have yet to see a kobo,” said Ikrimah Muhammad of Positive Trends Travel and Tours Ltd.
In response, NAHCON’s spokesman Ahmad Muazu said the commission’s actions were lawful and aimed at ending past practices.
“This is not a commission that rewards shadowy deals. We are building a transparent system free of kickbacks and middlemen,” he said.
Chairman Professor Abdullahi Usman said only four out of 19 board members are permanent staff and involved in daily operations.
“The remaining 15 are part-time members with advisory roles. They are not responsible for overseeing office procedures or procurements,” he stated.
With tensions rising within NAHCON and with private operators, some fear the conflict could disrupt the 2025 pilgrimage.
A religious affairs analyst warned, “If the leadership fails to resolve these conflicts swiftly, Nigerian pilgrims may face another chaotic hajj season.”
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