Nigeria’s Hajj Commission Laments Visa Woes for 2,717 Pilgrims
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has expressed disappointment over the inability of 2,717 intending pilgrims to secure visas for the 2025 Hajj. According to Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, the commission’s efforts to persuade the Saudi authorities to reopen the visa portal, even briefly, were unsuccessful.
Despite NAHCON’s best efforts, including facilitating four extensions of visa issuance deadlines, many pilgrims were left stranded due to late registration.
The commission had warned of the impending deadline, but some individuals failed to meet the April 19, 2025, cutoff, resulting in their exclusion from the visa process.
NAHCON had taken proactive steps to mitigate the situation, including securing Masha’ir slots for its coordinators in February. However, the eventual blockage of visa issuance on May 19, 2025, left many pilgrims without the necessary documentation.
The commission reported that 13,217 visas were granted to Tour Operator Companies out of 14,158 registered pilgrims, highlighting the significant participation of the private sector in the Hajj. NAHCON has continued to work with licensed operators to accommodate more pilgrims, but has raised concerns over reports of some operators engaging third-party providers for premium services outside of sanctioned arrangements.
Fatima Usara emphasized that NAHCON only recognizes Rawaf Mina Company as the authorized provider for Tent A+ services during the 2025 Hajj. The commission warned that it would not be responsible for the consequences of any arrangements made outside of this recognized channel and urged tour operators to refrain from dealings that could compromise the welfare of their pilgrims or violate Saudi regulations.
NAHCON has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian pilgrims and will continue to engage with Saudi authorities to ensure that both private and public sector operators deliver services that meet international standards. The commission has consoled the affected pilgrims, reminding them that Hajj is a call to faith and encouraging them to plan ahead for future pilgrimages.
