2025 Hajj: Saudi Firm Makes U-Turn, Signs Amended Contract With NAHCON

A Saudi-based company, Mashariq Al Dhabia, has signed an amended contract with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), to provide services for Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj exercise.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the company had threatened to sue NAHCON for alleged violations of the original contract signed with the commission to serve Nigerian pilgrims at Masha’ir during the 2025 Hajj.

In a surprising turn of events, a delegation from the Saudi-based service provider, led by its chairman, Muhammad Hassan, visited the NAHCON head office at the Hajj House in Abuja on Saturday evening, February 22, to sign the amended contract with the commission.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, the chairman of NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Seleh Usman, stated that the amendment was necessary to clarify grey areas in the original contract and ensure smooth and successful Hajj operations.

“Today, we welcomed the head of the delegation from Mashariq Al Dhabia, one of the service providers, to sign a contract to serve our Nigerian pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.

“They are here in Nigeria to sign an amendment that was already outlined in the original contract, allowing us to address any necessary changes to the previous agreement. Both the commission and the company share a common goal – to provide excellent service to our Nigerian pilgrims,” Prof. Usman said.

He assured all intending Nigerian pilgrims that the commission had finalised arrangements for the 2025 Hajj operations and dismissed any insinuations of contract cancellation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to assure all intending Nigerian pilgrims for this year’s Hajj that the commission has concluded all arrangements to conduct smooth and successful Hajj operations, by the grace of Allah. Anything to the contrary is not known to the commission, and we have not cancelled any contract with any company.”

Muhammad Hassan, chairman of Mashariq Al Dhabia, expressed gratitude to NAHCON and pledged to provide excellent services to Nigerian pilgrims.

“We pray that Allah grants us the wisdom to make this deal a blessed one. We thank the commission, and Insha-Allah, you will witness our services. We are committed to ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive the best possible service,” Hassan stated.