2025 Hajj: NAHCON Denies Violating Contractual Deal With Saudi Company

In a firm response to recent claims that a Saudi Arabian company, Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi, is preparing to sue the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over violation of contract to provide services to Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj exercise, the commission has categorically denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the allegations of contract violations are “outrightly untrue.”

NAHCON emphasized that it has fully adhered to the terms of its agreement with the firm, and to clarify any misunderstandings, it has engaged legal counsel to address the matter directly with Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi.

The commission outlined the contractual obligations, highlighting that the final number of pilgrims from Nigeria for the upcoming 1446H Hajj season will be determined through the official platform of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, insisting that the contract, signed on January 17, 2025 (17/07/1446H), is indivisible and must be interpreted in its entirety, ensuring that all necessary arrangements and services are in place as stipulated.

According to report by hajjreporter, the Saudi company, Mashariq Al Dhahabiah Al Mutawazi, had in a letter dated 1446/08/17 (17/02/2025), addressed to the head of Nigerian pilgrims’ affairs office in Makkah, said that the NAHCON breached its contract agreement that it would be the sole service provider for Nigerian pilgrims during the Hajj exercise, especially in Muna and Arafah, and therefore, gave the commission 20 days to normalise all the agreements signed by the two parties failing which it would take the NAHCON to an international arbitration panel.

But responding, NAHCON chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, said the commission was not in receipt of any letter from the Saudi firm, adding that he had written to the firm through his lawyers to formalize and consolidate the clauses of the contract the two parties entered on providing welfare services to Nigerian pilgrims, saying the matter had been put to rest.

“We could have cancelled the contract, but we chose to maintain a cooperative spirit despite the unfounded claims against us,” the NAHCON chairman stated.

Addressing the root of the allegations, the NAHCON boss hinted that detractors may be threatened by the commission’s progress in organizing the pilgrimage, but affirmed that such attempts to undermine its efforts will not succeed. “NAHCON works within the confines of the law and remains committed to serving the needs of Nigerian pilgrims,” the statement added.

He, however, called on the public, especially the intending pilgrims, to disregard the report against the commission.