Hajj 2025: CSO hails improved service delivery, criticises treatment of private pilgrims

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a faith-based civil society group, has commended stakeholders for improved service delivery during the 2025 hajj exercise.

In a statement issued on Monday, Ibrahim Muhammad, national coordinator of IHR, said the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), state pilgrims’ boards, and Saudi service providers performed better compared to previous years.

Speaking from Makkah, Muhammad said the airlift of pilgrims, feeding arrangements, transportation within Saudi Arabia, and tent allocation in Mina and Arafat all showed notable progress.

Muhammad also lauded the Saudi ministry of hajj and umrah for curbing unauthorised access to Mina, which, according to him, helped create more space for registered pilgrims from across the world.

“This year, complaints of poor-quality meals and late food delivery were nearly non-existent,” the statement reads.

“This is largely due to NAHCON’s strategic decision to contract two service providers, which introduced competition and led to improved food services and additional amenities.”

The IHR coordinator praised Nigerian pilgrims for their conduct, citing cases where misplaced funds were returned to rightful owners.

“They have been true ambassadors of Nigeria, and we pray Allah rewards them abundantly,” he said.

However, he raised concerns about the medical services available to Nigerian pilgrims, noting that support in Madinah was inadequate and the clinic in Makkah was established late.

He urged NAHCON to “urgently review and improve its medical services policy” to prevent similar lapses in future.

He also questioned the failure to process visas for over 2,500 intending pilgrims within the timeline approved by Saudi authorities and demanded transparency and accountability on the matter.

A major point of concern for the group was the treatment of pilgrims who travelled through private tour operators.

The IHR coordinator said many of them were accommodated in isolated parts of Mina with poor facilities.

“At the time of our visit, we observed that several tents lacked mattresses, and pilgrims were forced to sleep on mats or makeshift bedding,” Mohammad added.

“We call for an independent investigation into the matter and appropriate action against any individual or group responsible for the substandard services rendered to private pilgrims.

As pilgrims prepare for the return leg of the journey on June 13, the group called on all stakeholders to ensure a smooth and timely airlift back to Nigeria.