NAHCON asks intending pilgrims to report illegal Saudi Arabia visa sellers

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has asked Nigerians to report any individual, including its staff, involved in the selling of official hajj slots or visas.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s assistant director of information and publication, said the commission would act on credible reports to protect pilgrims.

Usara added that the Saudi Arabian government did not issue any official visa directly to Nigeria under the 2025 hajj arrangement.

“It is important to clarify that no official visa was issued to Nigeria by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under this year’s Hajj arrangement,” the statement reads.

“The public is invited to report anyone who claims to be in possession of official visa or selling same at any price at all.

“Similarly, NAHCON does not authorize any individual, apart from licensed Tour Operators to register pilgrims for Hajj.

“Anyone with information and evidence of NAHCON officials or any other individual ‘selling’ official Hajj slots is invited to kindly furnish the Commission with this intelligence so that appropriate action can be taken to protect innocent people from being shortchanged.”

She also clarified that no flight has been cancelled in the ongoing airlift of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, adding that one aircraft from Niger State even arrived earlier than scheduled.

“Importantly, no flight cancellations have been recorded so far. On the contrary, one of the carriers transporting pilgrims from Niger State arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier than expected as a mark of diligence,” Usara said.

“Within five days, 35 flights have successfully conveyed 14,165 Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representing 34.4% of the total expected movement.

“This time last year, though also significant, the airlift stood at 20.2% of pilgrims, having conducted 23 flights that transported 9,788 pilgrims.

“States that have concluded their airlift include Oyo State, Abia, Kogi, and Nasarawa States.”

She said the NAHCON management praised its staff for their commitment and credited the smooth operations to cooperation with state boards and effective airline partnerships.