Tour Operators to Petition Tinubu Over Alleged Irregularities in NAHCON Hajj Licence Approval.

Several tour operators seeking to participate in the 2027 Hajj have raised concerns over the recent list of qualified companies released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), alleging irregularities and foul play in the qualification process.

The operators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had complied with the requirements set by the commission but were surprised to discover that some companies they believed did not meet certain stated requirements were included among the successful applicants.

“We have fulfilled all the requirements of the commission, yet to our surprise, companies that did not possess two Umrah licences appear on the list,” one of the operators alleged.

The operators said they are considering petitioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to investigate the process that produced the list.

Investigations by Sahara Reporters indicated that more than 230 companies applied for consideration, while about 140 were reportedly listed as qualified. More than 90 companies were left out of the published list, with applicants complaining that the commission did not publicly provide individual reasons for their disqualification.

Some of the affected operators have also questioned the timing of applications by companies that eventually appeared on the approved list.

“I know of someone who applied after the deadline and was still qualified,” another travel agent alleged.

The operator called on the Presidency and the National Assembly to examine the process, saying the outcome could have serious financial consequences for companies that invested in meeting the commission’s requirements.

“We are asking for transparency. If there are criteria used to qualify these companies, the criteria should be made public and applied equally to everyone,” the source said.

Another major concern raised by the operators is the lack of clarity surrounding the criteria used to determine successful applicants.

They are demanding that NAHCON publish the full qualification framework, including the requirements, scoring or assessment method, reasons for disqualification, and the basis upon which companies were admitted to the final list.

The affected operators are also questioning whether the guidelines governing the qualification process followed the commission’s established internal procedures, including the role of the governing board and relevant committees.

They are calling on the Presidency, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to review the process and determine whether due process was followed.

The operators said they are not asking for preferential treatment, but for equal application of the rules and transparency in the decision-making process.

“We are asking the President to intervene and ensure that due process is followed. Companies have invested heavily in preparing for Hajj operations, and a decision that determines who participates should be transparent and subject to scrutiny,” one operator said.

The controversy is likely to intensify if the affected companies proceed with their planned petitions to the Presidency and National Assembly.
Many alleged that because they refuse to endorse NAHCON ‘s preferred Service Provider, “Rawaf Mina”,that is why they were denied the Hajj Slots, thus trying to throw them out of business.
This action can lead to job losses, as most employees of the Private Tour Companies risks losing their jobs if the Tinubu Government doesn’t intervene.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the commission were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The commission’s former spokesperson, Fatima Usara, was recently transferred to the Pilgrims Education Unit. Her reassignment has raised questions among stakeholders about the commission’s current arrangement for responding to media enquiries and communicating decisions involving the Hajj industry.

Media and public affairs experts said the absence of a clearly designated spokesperson or media contact during a dispute of this nature could make it difficult for the commission to address allegations promptly and transparently.