NAHCON Imposes N250m Bank Guarantee On Hajj Operators For 2027 Pilgrimage

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has unveiled sweeping reforms for licenced private hajj and Umrah tour operators ahead of the 2027 pilgrimage.

It introduced a mandatory N250 million bank guarantee alongside a raft of stricter operational requirements aimed at safeguarding pilgrims and raising service standards.

The new regulations, contained in a circular dated 20th July, 2026 and signed by the commission’s deputy director of Operations, Mrs Hafsatu Baba Tela, represent one of the most comprehensive overhauls of the private hajj sector in recent years.

According to NAHCON, the revised qualification and post-qualification guidelines are designed to align Nigeria’s hajj operations with evolving global standards, strengthen consumer protection and ensure that only financially and operationally capable companies participate in the annual pilgrimage.

Under the new framework, all prospective hajj operators must be duly registered travel agencies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), possess valid International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation and employ accredited personnel with proven experience in pilgrimage management.

A major highlight of the reforms is the replacement of the refundable cash deposit previously required of operators with a N250 million bank guarantee, a move the commission believes will improve financial accountability and reinforce confidence in the sector.

In addition, operators must provide evidence of successful hajj operations, submit audited financial statements, three years’ tax clearance certificates, annual returns filed with the CAC and records of hajj slot utilisation over the past three years.

The Commission also made it compulsory for operators to present a reference letter from a licensed commercial bank confirming their financial standing and to comply fully with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation policy through the Nusuk platform.

To ensure pilgrims receive the services they pay for, operators must secure confirmed accommodation and transportation arrangements before being approved for the 2027 Hajj.

NAHCON further directed all licenced companies to submit their Hajj packages to the Commission for evaluation and approval before advertising or announcing fares to intending pilgrims.

The Commission said operators must clearly disclose the cost of their packages and establish transparent refund policies for pilgrims in cases where any paid service is not delivered during Hajj or Umrah.

Under the post-qualification guidelines, operators are required to comply with all Hajj payment directives, maintain approved quality and safety standards, employ trained personnel, establish emergency response plans and submit quarterly operational reports.

They must also provide details of pilgrims’ orientation programmes, accommodation addresses in Makkah and Madinah, contact information for their representatives in Saudi Arabia, emergency contacts and appoint both male and female Islamic scholars to provide religious guidance throughout the pilgrimage.

In a further move to sanitise the industry, NAHCON prohibited unlicenced tour operators from displaying banners in Mashair and other designated pilgrimage locations, warning that anyone found violating the directive would face sanctions.

The Commission also warned that unresolved complaints between operators and pilgrims handled by its Inspectorate and Compliance Division would be referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation where necessary.

NAHCON stressed that operators who fail to comply with the new guidelines risk disciplinary measures ranging from warnings and fines to suspension or outright revocation of their operating licences.

The Commission said the reforms are intended to promote transparency, accountability and professionalism in Nigeria’s Hajj industry while ensuring Nigerian pilgrims enjoy safer, more efficient and better-coordinated services during the 2027 pilgrimage.