Hajj: States Pilgrims Boards Reject Call For NAHCON’S Decentralisation

The Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Pilgrims Welfare Board Agencies and Commissions has rejected the call for decentralisation of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), which would see state governments take over some of the commission’s responsibilities.

This followed the call for the decentralisation of the commission by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. While addressing Bauchi pilgrims in Muna on Tuesday, Mohammed criticised NAHCON for not living up to its expectations in the 2024 Hajj.

But at a media forum in Mecca on Friday, the forum rejected the call for decentralisation of NAHCON, saying the commission did well and should be commended.
Speaking on behalf of the chairman of the in Mecca, the executive secretary of Kebbi State Hajj Commission, Faruk Aliyu, said all the states were with NAHCON and would reject such moves.

“The issue of decentralising NAHCON should not even come up. States cannot handle airlift of pilgrims. I think even Saudi Authorities will not agree that every state in Nigeria transports its citizens to Hajj,” he said.