Nigeria has added to its ever-growing list of debacles on the international front, with the 2025 Hajj now hanging by a thread for pilgrims. Damning reports have surfaced that Saudi Arabian company, Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi, has threatened to take Nigeria to an international arbitration court over the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON)’s breach of contract. The NAHCON had contracted the Saudi Arabian company and state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to provide services to Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj exercise.
According to the contract, the company was supposed to be the sole service provider for Nigerian pilgrims during the Hajj exercise.
As such, the company has slapped a 20-day ultimatum on NAHCON to adhere to all the agreements reached. A report by Hajj Reporters states that NAHCON allocated 26,287 to the Saudi Arabian company, a deviation from the commission’s prior announcement of securing tent space for 52,544 Nigerians to participate in the Hajj exercise. By implication, the remaining 26,257 Nigerians would be catered for by another company, Ikram Diyafa.
A further twist reveals that the forum of states’ pilgrim welfare boards raised an alarm that NAHCON’s Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman Saleh, unilaterally terminated the contract days to close payment deadlines to agreed-upon companies by countries participating in the exercise.
Saleh denied this claim, maintaining that it was the decision of Saudi Arabian authorities. Should this conflict go unresolved and efforts at arbitration between Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi and NAHCON fail, an actual court procedure is imminent.
The NAHCON, on its part, has stated that another service provider was engaged to serve intending pilgrims during the 2025 hajj owing to some operational challenges, alleging that Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi had faced a challenge that could impede the smooth sail of all pilgrims.
NAHCON decided to supplement Mashariq’s services with an additional provider after identifying “issues with Mashariq’s listing on the Saudi Visa Portal, Nusuk.” While Mashariq al Dhahabia has taken subsequent corrective actions, NAHCON has also attributed its proactive decision to engage a supplementary provider to avoid granting a service provider an exclusive monopoly of the state’s quota.
2025 Hajj: The Colouration of Nigeria’s Continued Decline
This saga reflects the state of religious pilgrimage and tourism in Nigeria. The absence of a clear and comprehensive policy for managing religious pilgrimages has always hampered them. This deficiency leads to disorganisation and inefficiency in handling the logistics of Hajj and other pilgrimages, resulting in inadequate preparation for pilgrims. The Nigerian government’s failure to establish a sustainable framework hampers the potential benefits of pilgrimage management, as seen in more organised systems like Malaysia’s Tabung Hajj.
The financial implications of pilgrimage sponsorship are also considerable. The Nigerian government reportedly subsidises pilgrimages, with N90 billion allocated for Hajj operations alone in 2024. Critics have argued that these funds could be better used to address pressing national issues such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education, especially given the country’s widespread poverty.
The state of Nigeria’s religious pilgrimage reveals significant government expenditure and participation trends over recent years. From 2022 to 2024, the Nigerian Federal Government and 21 states collectively spent approximately ₦119.9 billion on Christian and Muslim pilgrimages subsidies. In 2022 alone, eight states allocated around ₦4.94 billion for pilgrimage sponsorship, with notable contributions from Enugu, Delta, and Zamfara states. The following year, the total expenditure increased to ₦9.88 billion, with Muslim pilgrims receiving more funding than their Christian counterparts.
Corruption within pilgrimage management bodies also exacerbates existing problems. Allegations of misappropriation of funds and favouritism in the selection of pilgrims are common. Pilgrimage sponsorship often serves as a means for political patronage, rewarding loyalists rather than addressing the broader population’s needs.
Plus, Nigerian pilgrims often exhibit behaviours that disrupt orderly conduct during pilgrimages. Issues such as excess luggage, evasion of regulations, and general disorderliness have been noted. These behaviours reflect poorly on the pilgrims and complicate logistical arrangements made by authorities.
The contract dispute between Mashariq Al Dhahabiah and the NAHCON further taints Nigeria’s reputation as a woeful dealer in international contracts. A notable case is the infamous $9.6 billion judgment against Nigeria in favour of Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID), stemming from a failed gas processing agreement. This case highlighted a broader pattern of contractual negligence by the Nigerian government, which has faced similar accusations from various international entities across different sectors.
The Saudi-NAHCON debacle has already damaged Nigeria’s international reputation. The dispute has already drawn comparisons to past international legal battles involving Nigeria. If Mashariq proceeds with arbitration or litigation, Nigeria could be portrayed as an unreliable partner in international agreements. This perception could deter other countries and firms from collaborating with Nigerian institutions.
The controversy also risks straining Nigeria’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, a key partner in facilitating Hajj pilgrimages. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reportedly cautioned NAHCON about the legal implications of its actions. Any fallout from this dispute could lead to stricter oversight or reduced cooperation from Saudi authorities in future Hajj arrangements. The ongoing conflict could also jeopardise the participation of thousands of Nigerian pilgrims in the 2025 Hajj. Failure to resolve the issue promptly could result in missed deadlines for securing accommodations and services in Muna and Arafah, effectively barring Nigerian pilgrims from performing Hajj this year.
2025 Hajj: The Way Forward
To forestall the controversies and debacles plaguing the Nigerian tourism sector, Nigeria must establish a robust policy framework for Hajj and Umrah that addresses operational challenges, ensures transparency, and provides guidelines for all stakeholders, including pilgrims, airlines, and service providers. Nigeria also needs to decentralise management by granting autonomy to state Pilgrim’s Welfare Boards to enhance accountability and efficiency. This could allow local authorities to tailor services to their specific needs while reducing bureaucratic delays.
The Nigerian government should consider phasing out subsidies for religious pilgrimages to reallocate resources towards essential public services like education and healthcare. This shift would promote financial sustainability and encourage private funding mechanisms for pilgrimages. The government also needs to implement educational programs for pilgrims about regulations, expectations, and proper conduct that can help mitigate issues related to disorderliness and non-compliance during the pilgrimage.
Clear legal agreements with service providers that include penalties for breaches should also be established to protect both parties and ensure better service delivery. This includes adhering to contractual obligations without unilateral cancellations by NAHCON. Regular consultations with all stakeholders, including state boards, private tour operators, and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj, are also needed to foster collaboration and ensure that decisions reflect the collective interests of Nigerian pilgrims.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Hajj announcement in 2025?
The 2025 Hajj season is expected to last from June 4 to 6, depending on the moon’s sighting.
- How much is the Hajj 2025 in Nigeria?
The 2025 Hajj fare in Nigeria varies by state and ranges from N8,327,125.59 to N8,784,085.59.
2025 Hajj fare by state:
Borno and Adamawa: N8,327,125.59
Southern states: N8,784,085.59
Northern zone: N8,457,685.59
3. What is the cheapest way to do Hajj?
i. Organise your pilgrimage. Doing the Hajj yourself is often cheaper than going through an operator or agency.
ii. Look for cheaper Hajj packages.
iii. Perform Umrah before Hajj.
iv. Travel as part of a group.
