CSO writes Shettima, call for emergency Hajj summit on Hajj Operations

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has appealed to Vice President Kashim Shettima to urgently convene a national stakeholders’ summit to prevent a possible disruption of the 2026 Hajj operations.

In a letter dated January 14, 2026, and addressed to the Vice President, the civil society group warned that mounting administrative and diplomatic challenges within Nigeria’s Hajj sector could jeopardise the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and harm the country’s international standing.

IHR identified key warning signs, including a reduction in Nigeria’s Hajj quota from 95,000 to 66,730, with indications that it could fall further to 50,000. The group also cited a prolonged operational stalemate between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and private tour operators, as well as unresolved issues surrounding Basic Travel Allowance disbursement and the seeming lack of cohesion among NAHCON executives.

"IHR commends the Vice President for his extraordinary efforts in performing supervisory functions over the Hajj Industry, but said the summit is desirable to address a wide ranges of issues”
The group called for an emergency National Hajj Stakeholders’ Summit to be held by February 2026, proposing the participation of former NAHCON leadership, experienced diplomats, state Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards, private operators under the Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, Civil Society groups, Hajj related media executives and anti-corruption agencies.

According to IHR, the proposed summit would provide a platform to discuss the cascading challenges within the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem, how to reclaim Nigeria’s full Hajj quota, and establish a clear standard operating procedure for State Muslim Pilgrims Boards and Private Hajj Operators, and discuss the possibility of amending NAHCON’s Establishment Act 2006 in accordance with Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah operational guidelines.